In some parts of Africa, breast flattening remains an existing cultural practice against pubescent girls. Also called breast ironing, breast flattening threatens the victims’ right to life and right against any form of torture. The cultural practice is the process of using a heated stone, spatula, hammer, or any similar object to flatten the breasts of pubescent girls to delay breast development. According to the Africa Health Organisation, breast flattening leaves girls vulnerable to health conditions like cancer, destruction of the breast, and damage of the breast duct, among many other health-related challenges.
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