The battle against breast ironing, a traditional practice of using hot iron to stop girls from growing breasts has gained momentum in Pigba, a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The age-long practice of flattening the breasts of young girls with heated or hard objects to delay breast development is what the tradition erroneously believes would ward off male attention from young girls. It however remains a silent scourge despite sensitisation campaigns and a government-backed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the community in 2024.
Last year, former Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, entered into an agreement with Pigba leaders promising to confront the practice head-on. Awareness sessions followed, during which residents were reminded that ignorance of the law offers no protection for offenders. However, with the exit of the minister, community members say the campaign has lost steam and are appealing to the new minister to revive the initiative.
Halima Oiza Sadiq, Executive Director of Chachavivi Women and Girl Child Development Foundation, has been one of the loudest voices campaigning against breast ironing in the FCT. She believes changing the practice requires continuous awareness and stronger policy enforcement.
“It is unfortunate that such things are still happening in the FCT. The belief has been passed down for generations and become a norm. Our foundation is committed to providing information and building awareness so that people can abandon it,” she said.
Sadiq noted that weak enforcement of existing laws undermines progress.
“We have beautiful laws and policies, but enforcement is weak, it’s an institutional issue we have always faced in Nigeria. We need the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to make this law active and domesticate it in all states. You cannot prosecute someone who does not know the law exists,” she emphasized.
The foundation is pushing for collaboration with critical stakeholders—religious leaders, traditional authorities, women leaders, and youth groups to reinforce the campaign.
“As imams and pastors preach, they must also address this harmful act in their sermons. Women are often the culprits handing over their daughters for breast ironing. Religious and community leaders must help end it. Beyond breast ironing, we must also address other harmful traditional practices that endanger women and girls,” Sadiq said.
Read Also: Oseni disowns group calling for Adelabu, Folarin to jettison Gov ambitions
According to the United Nations, breast ironing also called breast flattening affects nearly four million women globally and ranks among the most underreported forms of gender-based violence.
Medical experts warn that beyond causing excruciating pain, the practice damages breast tissue, increases risks of infection, hampers future breastfeeding, and leaves victims with psychological scars such as trauma, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Dr. Patrick Eze, a medical practitioner, explained:
“Breast ironing causes hematoma formation within the breast muscles. This can lead to bleeding, infections, and, in severe cases, increase the risk of breast cancer.”
For some residents of Pigba, the MOU once brought hope that change was possible. Ruth Ibrahim, the community secretary, said the fading of the agreement is discouraging.
“The old women who still believe in the practice are our challenge,” she said. “If the Minister revisits the MOU, we will mobilise them to understand they are not above the law.”
Others link the practice to poverty and fear. A resident, Tuma Usman, argued that parents often resort to breast ironing in the belief that it prevents unwanted pregnancies and protects girls from early harassment.
“It is because of poverty they are doing it. The government should provide empowerment,” she stressed.
One elderly woman, a resident, who does not want to be named admitted that she once ironed her daughter’s breasts before awareness campaigns reached the community.
“We did not know it was harmful. It was a tradition passed on by our grandparents,” she confessed.
Today, many residents are united in their call for renewed government commitment demanding empowerment programs, stronger enforcement of the law, and sustained awareness to end the practice.
For Pigba residents, the fight is far from over. They want the new Minister of Women Affairs to revisit the MOU, strengthen monitoring, and expand interventions across the FCT. Their message is clear: every girl deserves to grow up safe, healthy, and free from practices that compromise her future.
