Nigerian government renews commitment to end breast ironing among young girls
Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, has renewed the pledge of the Federal Government not to relent until it phases out the harmful practices of breast ironing, among others, meted out on young girls in the country.
The minister stated this while on an advocacy and sensitisation visit to Garki Chiefdom, Abuja Municipal Council, with her senior management staff.
She voiced concern about the unhealthy habit of ironing the breasts of teenage girls in the FCT communities of Kpaduma and Pygba, highlighting the destructive and health effects of such detrimental practices on girls and nursing mothers.
The Minister added that the Federal Government will work tirelessly towards eradicating the ‘barbaric act’ with attendant negative effects on the welfare of the girl child.
According to a statement signed by her Special Assistant, Media, Ohaeri Joseph, the practice falls among gender-based violence.
“Breast ironing, which is being practised on some young girls as traditional rites meant to prevent early male attraction, rape, among others, are practices that are totally unacceptable and form part of condemnable and harmful practices against the female gender which must be stamped out,” she said.
The minister said: “This age-long tradition could lead to cancer on the affected girls as it is capable of leading to nipple challenges in their future life as well as the production of sour breast milk for their infants which is dangerous to the growth and development of new born babies.”
On his part, His Royal Highness, (HRH), Ambassador Emmanuel Gade, declared that the Council would support the government’s efforts to put an end to traditional and other forms of harmful practices against women.
