ActionAid Nigeria has fiercely condemned the “disturbing and unacceptable” public assault on women and girls at a recent cultural festival in Ozoro, Delta State, rejecting any efforts to minimise the violence as mere tradition.
In a statement signed by Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, the organisation stressed that violence against women and girls must never be justified under any guise. “This is not a matter of misinterpretation,” the organisation stated, adding, “Women and girls were subjected to abuse in full public view, and such actions demand accountability.”
It warned that the incident reflects deeper systemic issues surrounding gender-based violence, including harmful social norms and weak enforcement mechanisms that allow perpetrators to act with impunity.
It further noted that normalising or trivialising such behaviour only increases the risk to women and girls. Nigeria’s National Gender Policy already mandates protections in public spaces, yet enforcement remains patchy, with Delta State reporting over 500 GBV cases last year alone, per police data.
ActionAid Nigeria called on Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to take decisive action by ensuring that security agencies swiftly identify and prosecute all those involved. It also urged the state government to publicly disclose steps taken, including arrests and prosecution outcomes, as a demonstration of zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
The organisation further demanded accountability from security agencies, questioning the apparent lapses that allowed the incidents to occur without timely intervention. It emphasised the need for proactive measures to prevent such occurrences rather than reactive responses.
In addition, ActionAid Nigeria appealed to the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs to provide immediate, coordinated support for survivors. Recommended interventions include access to medical care, psychosocial services, legal assistance, and safe reporting channels, while ensuring protection from stigma.
The group stressed that the incident highlights ongoing gaps in safeguarding women and girls in public and cultural settings and called for a broader review of practices within the Ozoro community that may endanger women.
