Womanifesto Condemns 'Institutionalized Sexual Violence' at Delta Community Festival
A powerful coalition of women's rights organizations has issued a scathing condemnation of what it describes as "institutionalized sexual violence" occurring during a traditional festival in Delta State. Womanifesto, representing over 500 women's rights groups across Nigeria, expressed profound outrage over disturbing reports emerging from Ozoro community.
Horrific Allegations Surface
According to the coalition's statement, signed by co-convener Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, social media has been flooded with videos and reports showing women being publicly stripped naked and assaulted by groups of men during the festival. "This is not our culture. This is organized, institutionalized rape culture, and it must be named as such," declared Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
The coalition alleges that festival practices include a dangerous directive that any woman found outside after noon becomes "fair game" for molestation and physical attack. This systematic approach, according to Womanifesto, transforms isolated incidents into something far more sinister.
Cultural Justification Rejected
Womanifesto firmly rejected any attempt to justify these alleged acts through cultural or traditional arguments. "No tradition, no deity, no community elder, and no cultural practice has the authority to suspend the bodily autonomy of women," stated Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi. The coalition emphasized that Nigeria's Constitution guarantees every citizen fundamental rights to dignity, freedom of movement, and protection from inhumane treatment.
The group specifically cited the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, noting that threats of violence themselves constitute criminal acts under Nigerian law. "Any person or authority that tells women to stay indoors or face violence is committing a crime punishable under Nigerian law," the statement clarified.
Multiple Parties Condemned
The condemnation extended beyond the alleged perpetrators to include community leaders accused of enabling the violence and bystanders who failed to intervene. "We condemn the perpetrators of these attacks without reservation or qualification," said Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi. "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."
Calls for Immediate Action
Womanifesto issued urgent calls for intervention at multiple levels of government and society. The coalition demanded that the Delta State Government immediately deploy security forces to halt the attacks and protect women and girls for the remainder of the festival period.
The statement specifically called upon the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police to arrest those responsible, including individuals identifiable in circulating videos, and ensure their prosecution. The coalition also urged the Federal Government to publicly affirm that no traditional festival supersedes constitutional rights or federal law.
Traditional rulers in Ozoro received a direct appeal to "publicly and unequivocally disavow" any association between the alleged violence and cultural practices. The coalition further called upon civil society organizations, the National Human Rights Commission, and international bodies including the United Nations to respond with appropriate urgency.
"Videos of women being stripped and assaulted by mobs are evidence of crimes in progress and must be treated as such," emphasized Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi, highlighting the evidentiary nature of the circulating footage.
