A coalition of women organisations, Womanifesto, has condemned the ongoing campaign of sexual violence being perpetrated against women in Ozoro, Delta State, under the cover of a traditional festival.
Sexual violence in Ozoro
The coalition of over 500 women organisations have thereby called on the government to immediately deploy security forces to halt the attacks and ensure the protection of women and girls throughout the festival period.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, the Co-Convener, Womanifesto expressed “absolute horror and outrage” over what it called an ongoing campaign of abuse carried out under the guise of a traditional festival.
“Womanifesto is clear: no tradition, no deity, no community elder, and no cultural practice has the authority to suspend the bodily autonomy of women. Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to dignity, freedom of movement, and protection from inhumane treatment. These rights do not evaporate at noon. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015) confirms that the threat of violence is violence in itself. Hence, any person or authority
that tells women to stay indoors or face violence is committing a crime punishable under Nigerian Law.
“We condemn the perpetrators of these attacks without reservation or qualification. We condemn the community leaders
who sanction this violence, and the bystanders who watched and did nothing, or worse, filmed the gross, horrific violation of these women.”
The coalition also urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to arrest and prosecute perpetrators, including individuals identifiable in circulating video footage.
Rights violations cited
Additionally, Womanifesto demanded that the Federal Government publicly affirm that no traditional festival supersedes constitutional rights or federal law, particularly the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act.
The coalition further insisted that traditional rulers and community leaders in Ozoro must “publicly and unequivocally disavow any claim that this violence is sanctioned by tradition.”
Beyond government action, the group appealed to civil society organisations, women’s rights groups, the National Human Rights Commission, and international bodies, including the United Nations, to treat the situation with urgency.
According to Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi, “Videos of women being stripped and assaulted by mobs are evidence of crimes in progress and must be treated as such.”
