Breast ironing is a practice that is slowly disappearing in Ivory Coast, yet its consequences continue to shape the lives of many women. Traditionally performed on girls between the ages of 9 and 11, at the beginning of puberty, it involves applying heated objects such as warmed bananas, wooden spatulas, or heated bandages to the chest in an attempt to delay breast development. Often carried out by mothers or female relatives, the practice is intended to protect girls from sexual violence, early pregnancies, and forced or early marriages, according to local beliefs.

Through a series of intimate portraits, this photo essay gives voice to women who experienced breast ironing and to a younger generation rejecting the practice. From Yamoussoukro to Duékoué, the story explores memory, trauma, and resilience as these women reclaim their bodies and challenge traditions passed down through generations.