BREAST IRONING: WOMEN AFFAIRS. MINISTER, PIGBA COMMUNITY PURSUE ABOLISHMENT .... Sign Memorandum of Understanding To Abolish Practice

Hon. Kennedy-Ohanenye, Women Affairs Minister and the District Head, Garki Chiefdom, Chief Emmanuel Gade at the signing of the MoU on Friday.

"Breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, and discharge of milk, infection, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, breast infections, A severe fever, tissue damage and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts." Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pigba Community, Abuja Municipal Council for an immediate stoppage of the practice of breast ironing in the area.

During the signing ceremony held Friday at the Pigba Community in Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye stated that the age-long harmful practice was inimical to the natural development of the girl - child and must therefore be abolished.

"Breast ironing exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, and discharge of milk, infection, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, breast infections, A severe fever, tissue damage and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts," the Minister said in a statement issued and signed by Grace Njoku, Head of the Press and Public Relations Department of the Ministry.

"The act traumatizes the victims and affects their general wellbeing as future mothers, thus negating the present Administration's Renewed Hope Agenda which is tailored, among others towards ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians, including the girl-child.

"We are here therefore to ensure that they stop maltreating the girls, as there is a law that addresses violence against women. We are trying to put an end to this so that they can live a better life," Kennedy Ohanenye added.

Responding, the District Head, Garki Chiefdom, Chief Emmanuel Gade thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in particular, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister (Mrs) Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye as well as Management and Staff of the Ministry for their commitment to the wellbeing of Nigerians, especially women and girls

He assured that the community will put an end to the practice in line with the policy objectives of the present administration.

Highlights of the event include the presentation of grinding and sewing machines to the community by the Honourable Minister.

"Breast ironing, sometimes referred to as breast flattening is a harmful practice that involves the repetitive pounding, pressing, ironing, rubbing or massaging of a pubescent girl's breast, often using hard or heated objects in order to stop or delay them from growing or developing." The statement concluded.