Breast Ironing in Africa: A Scoping Review

Introduction Despite the culturally motivated justification for breast ironing, it is becoming more widely acknowledged as a violation of the victims’ rights. The objective of this scoping review is to map evidence on drivers, consequences, and interventions related to breast ironing.Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Web of Science. To ensure broader coverage and capture relevant grey literature, additional searches were conducted on Google Scholar and the African Journals Online platform. Studies published in the English language between 2012 and 2025 were included. The review followed the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The PRISMA-SCR guided study selection reporting. Two reviewers conducted data extraction, and three reviewers independently assessed all included studies. Results were thematically analyzed.Results Fifteen eligible studies were identified, with the majority originating from Cameroon. The evidence base comprised both primary and secondary studies and reports. Mapping the findings generated four key themes: sociocultural motivators; health-seeking behavior; bio-physio-psychological effects; and preventive strategies/approaches. Together, these themes demonstrate that breast ironing is both a manifestation of entrenched gender inequality and a consequence of inadequate policy frameworks and limited healthcare engagement across African countries.Conclusions The practice of breast ironing in Africa is substantial and underappreciated, largely due to cultural secrecy, methodological constraints, and data gaps across regions. Hence, acknowledging the praxis as a structural countenance of gender disparity and within gender-based violence statutes, may reinforce legal accountability and safeguards for pubescent girls. Eradication approaches must integrate rights-based advocacy, community-centered empowerment, and robust policy enforcement to demolish the cultural and institutional structures that sustain this largely obscured practice. Future research should prioritize generating prevalence data across all African regions, incorporating men’s and community perspectives, examining policy implementation outcomes, and undertaking intervention and longitudinal studies.