Why do African governments allow parents to mutilate their children?

And why does the international community keep silent about this widespead and systematic human rights abuse?

Here is a news report of what I'm talking about:

Millions of Cameroon girls suffer "breast ironing"

By Tansa Musa

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (Reuters) - Worried that her daughters' budding breasts would expose them to the risk of sexual harassment and even rape, their mother Philomene Moungang started 'ironing' the girls' bosoms with a heated stone.
....

"Breast ironing is an age-old practice in Cameroon, as well as in many other countries in West and Central Africa, including Chad, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Conakry, just to name a few," said Flavien Ndonko, an anthropologist and local representative of German development agency GTZ, which sponsored the survey.
....
However, the practice has many side-effects, including severe pain and abscesses, infections, breast cancer, and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.
http://today.reuters.com/News/newsArticl...

If risk of rape is justification for mutilating attractive women, then perhaps all attractive women should have acid thrown in their faces.

Every government is obligated to protect human rights of all its citizens. And the high risk of rape in African countries means that these African governments are not fulfilling their obligations.

Many African countries are receiving aid from the international community. And the international community also has an obligation to make sure that human rights standards are being upheld in these countries.

Ouch, that is horrible. Internationally people don't get involved with other peoples beliefs and customs, but they definately should.

ignorance

"breast ironing" sounds nasty... but then, so is the mutilation of the female genitalia....
but what's worse is the horrific things women go through just because they're women.... why should a woman fear for her or her daughter's lives? the fact that these women are afraid for their girls being raped is nastier than the horrible "cure" for their natural attributes showing.... don'cha think?

It is their culture... It isn't fair, or comfortable and is probably one of the most painful things a girl could ever go through. But, that's the way it is. How come child abuse becomes more and more common pretty much every year in the US? It's just the way it is. Our perspective is that every child is independent and that our children deserve things. In countries like that, children are children, they do as they're told, and they listen, there is no arguing like we do. The truth is that the US is a spoiled country to have none of that here, even though teenagers get raped every year, we don't do that to our children. It's the way it is. Don't question it, it'll only make arguements.

Africa will continue to be the heart of darkness until the enlightened west recolonizes and kicks their sorry stone age butts into shape.

Most african governments aren't in any position to keep anyone from doing anything.
Also, if it is true that it discourages rape and molestation, especially as sex with a virgin girl is thought by many men there to cure AIDS, the benefits could outweigh the harm.
It's a harsh world out there.

In recent years cultural mutilation (breast ironing and genitalia excision) are being better controlled by Cameroon, Mali and other african governments because of European pressure amongst others.
Indictement and prosecution of offenders on European soil are commonplace but it is still difficult to get witnesses.
As far as Africa itself is concerned, African women are getting bolder to refuse those barbaric actions for their children. It is not yet womens' lib but it has started!

the answer is in the statement you left

'Worried that her daughters' budding breasts would expose them to the risk of sexual harassment and even rape"