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Background: There is little awareness on the practice of breast ironing, its cultural roots, why it exists and what could be the impact of this practice on young girls’ physical and psycholigical health. In addition, it is important to understand more of how the practice is related to the process of natural puberty, what could be the relationship between breast ironing, selfimagination, and the right to a proper education in sexual and reproductive health.

Aim: To explore experiences and perceptions of the breast ironing practice in Cameroon, from the perspectives of women, healthcare professionals and community stakeholders.

Method: A descriptive qualitative design was used. Data was collected through qualitative structured interviews with young women, mothers, health care staff and stakeholders in community, analysed by qualitative content analysis.

Results: The results of this study indicate the significance of women’s breast development in relation to sexuality, but it also brings to light the dangers that young girls go through with breast developments. A divide between the older and younger generation of women about breastironing was shown, with the older generation considering breast ironing practice as a preventive measure to ensure right to education, prevent child marriage and unwanted pregnancy while the young generation emphasized the violation of their human rights. Physical and psychological health consequences on the survivors and broken family relations were displayed.

Conclusions: The practice of breast ironing is complex, contributing to individual suffering andb roken family relations and it is evident that there is a need for a concrete legislation that can be effective in protecting the right of girls within cultures and traditions that practice breastironing. Legislation should include access to sex education for young girls, boys and as well as mothers and fathers.