Cultural practices GBV Nigeria debate intensifies as experts call for reforms after Ozoro festival assault and urge stronger law enforcement

Legal practitioners and mental health experts have called for the abolition of cultural practices that enable sexual and gender-based violence, warning that the normalisation of such acts under tradition is unconstitutional and harmful to society.

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The call follows the March 19 incident at the Alue-Do festival in Ozoro, Delta State, where women were reportedly assaulted, harassed, and publicly stripped, sparking national outrage and renewed scrutiny of the cultural practices GBV Nigeria debate.

Speaking on the issue, Country Vice President of the International Federation of Women Lawyers Nigeria, Eliana Martins, described the incident as both shocking and revealing of persistent harmful traditions.

Martins said that while culture is an integral part of society, practices that promote violence against women must be abolished.

“Any of these cultural practices that subjugate women and propagate violence must be banned. It must be eradicated,” she stated, adding that such acts violate constitutional rights to personal safety, dignity, and freedom of movement.

She also stressed that weak enforcement of existing laws remains a major challenge, noting that gender-based violence is a criminal offence that must be prosecuted rather than treated as a private or cultural matter.

Similarly, civil rights advocate Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi argued that culture must evolve to protect women and girls, insisting that no tradition should justify abuse.

“Culture is not static; it evolves, and it must evolve in ways that protect, not endanger women and girls,” she said, calling for targeted reforms rather than the wholesale rejection of cultural identity.

On the psychological impact, former President of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, Taiwo Obindo, warned that survivors of sexual violence are at risk of long-term mental health conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Such experiences can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety,” he said, emphasising the need for professional psychological support for victims.

The Delta State Police Command has arrested 16 suspects in connection with the Ozoro incident, including a community leader, while investigations continue. Authorities have also condemned the acts, describing them as barbaric and unacceptable.

Experts noted that the incident reflects deeper structural issues, including entrenched gender inequality and societal tolerance for abuse, which often discourages victims from reporting cases.

They called for coordinated action involving traditional rulers, government agencies, civil society organisations, and the media to address the crisis.

They further stressed that harmful practices such as restrictions on women’s movement during festivals, widowhood rites, and other gender-discriminatory traditions must be reformed or eliminated to align with modern human rights standards.

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The renewed calls highlight the urgent need for decisive action, as stakeholders warn that failure to confront these practices could continue to endanger women and undermine community development across Nigeria.