Womanifesto, a coalition of over 500 women’s rights organisations, has condemned what it described as the “institutionalised sexual violence” against women in Ozoro, Delta State, allegedly carried out under the guise of a traditional festival.
The statement, signed by co-convener Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, expressed “absolute horror and outrage” over reports and videos circulating on social media that appear to show women being stripped naked in public and assaulted by groups of men.
“This is not our culture. This is organised, institutionalised rape culture, and it must be named as such,” said Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi.
According to the coalition, the alleged practice includes a directive that any woman found outside after noon during the festival is considered “fair game” for molestation and attack. The group warned that the continuation of such acts over multiple days elevates the situation beyond isolated incidents.
“That any community could codify the sexual assault of women into a festival is criminal,” Akiyode-Afolabi said. “And the fact that it is scheduled to continue for seven days transforms it from an incident into a pogrom against women.”
Womanifesto stressed that no cultural or traditional justification can override constitutional protections. “No tradition, no deity, no community elder, and no cultural practice has the authority to suspend the bodily autonomy of women,” Akiyode-Afolabi stated.
“Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to dignity, freedom of movement, and protection from inhumane treatment. These rights do not evaporate at noon.”
The coalition also cited the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (2015), noting that threats of violence constitute violence under the law. “Any person or authority that tells women to stay indoors or face violence is committing a crime punishable under Nigerian law,” she added.
The group condemned not only the alleged perpetrators but also community leaders accused of enabling the acts and bystanders who failed to intervene. “We condemn the perpetrators of these attacks without reservation or qualification,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
“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.”
Womanifesto called for immediate intervention by authorities, urging the Delta State Government to deploy security forces to halt the attacks and protect women and girls for the remainder of the festival period. It also called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to arrest those responsible, including individuals identifiable in circulating videos, and prosecute them.
The coalition further urged the Federal Government to publicly affirm that no traditional festival supersedes constitutional rights or federal law, and called on traditional rulers in Ozoro to “publicly and unequivocally disavow” any association between the alleged violence and cultural practices.
It also appealed to civil society organisations, the National Human Rights Commission, and international bodies, including the United Nations, to respond with urgency.
“Videos of women being stripped and assaulted by mobs are evidence of crimes in progress and must be treated as such,” Akiyode-Afolabi said.
