BRIFF 7 MUNUD Smwddio Bronnau Breast Ironing 7

BRIFF 7 MUNUD Smwddio Bronnau / Breast Ironing 7 MINUTE BRIEFING

1. BETH YW HYN? Smwddio Bronnau, sydd hefyd yn cael ei alw’n “Wastadu Bronnau” yw’r broses lle mae bronnau genethod ifanc yn cael eu smwddio, tylino ac/ neu eu curo drwy ddefnyddio gwrthrychau caled neu wedi'u cynhesu er mwyn i’w bronnau ddiflannu neu oedi datblygiad y bronnau’n llwyr. Credir, drwy gyflawni’r weithred hon, y bydd genethod ifanc yn cael eu hamddiffyn rhag aflonyddu, treisio, herwgipio a priodas dan orfod gynnar ac felly’n cael eu cadw mewn addysg. 1. WHAT IS IT? Breast Ironing also known as “Breast Flattening” is the process whereby young pubescent girls breasts are ironed, massaged and/or pounded down through the use of hard or heated objects in order for the breasts to disappear or delay the development of the breasts entirely. It is believed that by carrying out this act, young girls will be protected from harassment, rape, abduction and early forced marriage and therefore be kept in education.

2. BETH YW HYN? Yn debyg i Anffurfio Organau Cenhedlu Benywod (FGM), mae Smwddio Bronnau’n arfer diwylliannol niweidiol ac yn fath o gam-drin plant. Rhaid i weithwyr proffesiynol sy’n gweithio gyda phlant a phobl ifanc allu adnabod arwyddion a symptomau genethod sydd mewn perygl neu wedi dioddef smwddio bronnau. Yn yr un modd â Anffurfio Organau Cenhedlu Benywod (FGM), ystyrir fod smwddio bronnau’n gamdrin corfforol, felly rhaid i weithwyr proffesiynol ddilyn Gweithdrefnau Diogelu Cymru Gyfan. 2. WHAT IS IT? Much like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Breast Ironing is a harmful cultural practice and is child abuse. Professionals working with children and young people must be able to identify the signs and symptoms of girls who are at risk of or have undergone breast ironing. Similarly to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), breast ironing is classified as physical abuse therefore professionals must follow the All Wales Safeguarding Procedures.

3. BETH YW HYN? 3. WHAT IS IT? Mae’r Cenhedloedd Unedig (UN) yn nodi fod Smwddio Bronnau’n effeithio ar 3. 8 miliwn o enethod o amgylch y byd ac wedi ei nodi’n un o’r pum trosedd sy’n cael ei than-adrodd yn ymwneud â thrais ar sail rhywedd (http: //www. unwomenuk. org/breastironing-must-be-stopped/) The United Nations (UN) states that Breast Ironing affects 3. 8 million women around the world and has been identified as one of the five under-reported crimes relating to gender-based violence (http: //www. unwomenuk. org/breastironing-must-be-stopped/). Mae’r ddefod yn defnyddio cerrig mawr, morthwyl ac ysbodolau wedi eu cynhesu dros lo crasboeth i gywasgu meinwe bronnau genethod mor ifanc â 9 mlwydd oed. Gall y rhai hynny sy’n dod o deuluoedd mwy cyfoethog benderfynu dewis belt lastig i wasgu’r bronnau er mwyn eu hatal rhag tyfu. The custom uses large stones, a hammer or spatulas that have been heated over scorching coals to compress the breast tissue of girls as young as 9 years old. Those who derive from richer families may opt to use an elastic belt to press the breasts so as to prevent them from growing.

4. Dangosyddion Yn gyffredinol, mae’r ferch yn credu fod yr arfer yn cael ei gynnal er ei budd hi a bydd yn aml yn aros yn ddistaw. Genethod ifanc blaenaeddfed sydd fel arfer rhwng 9 15 oed ac o gymunedau sy’n dilyn yr arfer hwn sy’n wynebu’r perygl mwyaf o smwddio bronnau. Mae smwddio bronnau’n cael ei gadw’n gyfrinach lwyr rhwng y ferch ifanc a’i mam. Yn aml mae’r tad yn hollol anymwybodol o hyn. Dyma rai o’r arwyddion fod geneth wedi bod drwy smwddio bronnau: 4. Indicators The girl generally believes that the practice is being carried out for her own good and she will often remain silent. Young pubescent girls usually aged between 9 – 15 years old and from practising communities are most at risk of breast ironing. Breast ironing is a well-kept secret between the young girl and her mother. Often the father remains completely unaware. Some indicators that a girl has undergone breast ironing are as follows:

5. Dangosyddion Ø Ymddygiad anarferol ar ôl absenoldeb o’r ysgol neu’r coleg gan gynnwys iselder, gorbryder, trais, tawedog ac ati; Ø Cyndyn i dderbyn archwiliadau meddygol arferol; Ø Efallai y bydd rhai genethod yn gofyn am gymorth, ond efallai na fyddant yn agored ynglŷn â’r broblem oherwydd embaras neu ofn; Ø Ofn newid ar gyfer gweithgareddau corfforol gan fod creithiau'n dangos neu rwymynnau yn y golwg. 5. Indicators Ø Unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college including depression, anxiety, aggression, withdrawn etc; Ø Reluctance in undergoing normal medical examinations; Ø Some girls may ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment or fear; Ø Fear of changing for physical activities due to scars showing or bandages being visible.

6. Beth i’w wneud? 6. What to do? Mae smwddio bronnau’n cael ei arfer yn neg rhanbarth Camerŵn a chafwyd adroddiadau ei fod yn digwydd yn Benin, y Traeth Ifori, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Cenia, Togo, Simbabwe a Guinea. Conakry. Breast ironing is practiced in all ten regions of Cameroon and has been reported in Benin, Ivory Coast, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Togo, Zimbabwe and Guinea-Conakry. Mae’r elusen CAWODIGO - CAME Women and Girls (http: //www. cawogido. co. uk/index. php) yn pryderu fod mewnfudwyr o Affrica wedi dod a’r arfer o smwddio bronnau gyda nhw i Brydain. Yn eu hymdrechion i leihau nifer y genethod a’r merched a effeithir, mae CAME yn cynnig hyfforddiant i sefydliadau yng Nghamerŵn sy’n gweithio i ddiogelu genethod rhag cael eu cam-drin drwy smwddio bronnau a chefnogi teuluoedd a chymunedau. The charity CAWODIGO – CAME Women and Girls (http: //www. cawogido. co. uk/index. php) is concerned that African immigrants have brought breast ironing practice with them to the UK. In their efforts to reduce the number of affected girls and women, CAME provides training for Cameroonian organisations working to protect girls from being abused through breast ironing and supporting families and communities.

7. Materion Allweddol 7. Key Issues Oherwydd y cyfarpar a ddefnyddir yn ystod y broses o smwddio bronnau, er enghraifft llwy/ brwsh, cerrig, pestl, band bronnau, dail ac ati wedi eu cyfuno ag ôl-ofal annigonol, mae genethod ifanc yn agored i beryglon iechyd sylweddol. Mae smwddio bronnau yn boenus ac yn treisio uniondeb corfforol geneth ifanc. Due to the instruments which are used during the process of breast ironing, for example, spoon/broom, stones, pestle, breast band, leaves etc. combined with insufficient aftercare, young girls are exposed to significant health risks. Breast ironing is painful and violates a young girl’s physical integrity. Mae’n gadael genethod yn agored i sawl problem iechyd fel canser, crawniadau, cosi, a gollwng llefrith, haint, anghymesuredd y bronnau, systiau, heintiau’r fron, twymyn ddifrifol, difrod i’r meinwe a hyd yn oed diflaniad llwyr un neu ddwy o’r bronnau. It exposes girls to numerous health problems such as cancer, abscesses, itching, and discharge of milk, infection, dissymmetry of the breasts, cysts, breast infections, severe fever, tissue damage and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.