ActionAid Nigeria has issued a strong condemnation of the alarming incidents of violence against women and girls that occurred during a recent cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State.
Eyewitness accounts and video evidence widely shared on social media reveal shocking scenes of harassment, public assault, and the wounding of women and girls, raising serious concerns about safety and respect in communal spaces.
In a statement signed by Andrew Mamedu, PhD, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, the Organisation criticized the attempts by some individuals to downplay these incidents, framing them as simple misinterpretations of cultural practices.
“Violence against women and girls must never be trivialized, justified, or explained away,” the organization emphasized. The reality of abuse faced by women and girls in plain view of the public calls for urgent accountability and action.
These events are indicative of a larger, systemic issue surrounding gender-based violence in the country. ActionAid Nigeria pointed out that harmful societal norms, along with a culture of silence and inadequate enforcement of laws, create conditions that facilitate such violations.
“When harassment and assault become normalized or dismissed, it perpetuates a cycle of impunity, placing women and girls at greater risk,” the group stated.
The organization firmly asserted that no cultural event or traditional belief can serve as a justification for acts of violence. They called for immediate identification and prosecution of all individuals involved in the incidents, ensuring that justice is served through a transparent and credible process that can restore public trust.
ActionAid Nigeria has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take decisive action in response to these violent acts. They demanded that law enforcement agencies act swiftly to apprehend those responsible and called for full transparency regarding the outcomes of any arrests and prosecutions.
The organization insists on the necessity of demonstrating a zero-tolerance policy toward gender-based violence in both practice and policy.
In addition to demanding accountability from security agencies, ActionAid Nigeria emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent future harm, rather than merely reacting to incidents after they occur.
The group also called for immediate coordinated support for the affected women and girls from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs.
They urged these bodies to provide survivor-centered assistance, including access to medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and safe reporting mechanisms, all while ensuring that survivors are protected from stigma and encouraged to seek justice without fear.
ActionAid Nigeria’s statement sheds light on the urgent need for systemic change to combat gender-based violence and protect the rights and dignity of women and girls across Nigeria.
Beyond immediate response, this incident highlights persistent gaps in safeguarding women and girls in public and cultural spaces and highlists the urgent need to confront harmful gender norms that enable violence by all tiers of government.
Addressing gender-based violence requires deliberate, sustained action across institutions, communities, and leadership structures. Ozoro kingdom needs to do better and review the cultural practices that harm women and girls.
ActionAid Nigeria remains resolute in its commitment to advancing the rights, safety, and dignity of women and girls and stands in solidarity with all those affected.
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