…demands immediate arrest of perpetrators
By Emmanuella Oghenetega
ActionAid Nigeria has condemned strongly the disturbing incidents of violence against women and girls reported during a recent cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State.
Recall that recently, there was a widespread circulation of video evidence across social media, which showed women and girls being openly harassed, chased, and assaulted in public.
An action, which reflects a grave failure to guarantee safety and dignity in a communal space.
While efforts have been made in some quarters to minimise these events or frame them as a misinterpretation of cultural practices, ActionAid Nigeria has stressed that violence against women and girls must never be trivialised, justified, or explained away under any circumstance.
Speaking in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, emphasied, that regardless of how such actions are described, the reality remains that women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, “and this demands accountability.”
This incident is not isolated, he said, “It points to a deeper, systemic issue of gender-based violence, where harmful norms, silence, and weak enforcement create conditions that allow such violations to occur.
The Country Director reiterated that acts of harassment and assault, when normalised or downplayed, reinforces a culture of impunity and further endangers women and girls.
“ActionAid Nigeria therefore stated unequivocally, that no cultural festival or traditional belief be used to excuse or conceal violence.”
Stating, tha all individuals involved in the acts be urgently identified and brought to book through a transparent and credible process that delivers justice and restores public confidence.
AAN therefore called on the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, to take immediate and visible leadership in addressing this incident by ensuring that law enforcement agencies act swiftly and decisively in apprehending and prosecuting all perpetrators. Stating, that the Governor ensures also, a full public disclosure of actions taken, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, and demonstrate zero tolerance for gender-based violence in both policy and practice.
“Security agencies must be held accountable for any lapses that allowed these incidents to occur and continue without timely intervention. Their mandate to protect citizens must be matched by proactive measures that prevent harm, not merely respond after the fact.”
ActionAid Nigeria further called on the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to urgently provide coordinated and survivor-centred support to all affected women and girls, including access to medical care, psychosocial services, legal assistance, and safe reporting mechanisms. “Survivors must be protected from stigma and supported to seek justice without fear.”
Andrew Mamedu stated, that 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.”
