Nigeria Women Affairs Ministry Demands Immediate Justice Following Reports of Sexual Violence in Delta State

The Ministry of Women Affairs condemns sexual assaults in Delta State, citing VAPP Act violations and pledging support for victims under federal safety mandates.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 21, 2026, 5:43 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from THISDAY

The Federal Response to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct in Ozoro

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has issued a stern condemnation regarding reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault targeting women during a local festival in the Isoko North Local Government Area. Characterizing these events as a grave violation of human dignity, the Ministry asserted that such behavior is entirely unacceptable under Nigerian law. This official stance underscores a growing intolerance for gender based violence occurring under the guise of communal celebrations, signaling a federal intent to hold perpetrators accountable regardless of the social context in which these acts were committed.

Legal Frameworks and the Primacy of Individual Protections

According to the Ministry, no cultural or traditional heritage serves as a valid justification for the commission of sexual violence against any citizen. The government highlighted that the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act provides a clear legal mandate to criminalize and prosecute these offenses, effectively placing statutory law above localized customs that may inadvertently facilitate abuse. By invoking this specific legislation, the Ministry is reminding community organizers and participants that the protection of physical integrity remains a non negotiable requirement during public gatherings and cultural rites.

Federal Oversight and the Push for Investigative Accountability

The protection and safety of women and girls have been identified as core pillars of the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as stated by the Ministry. Government representatives emphasized that the dignity of victims must be preserved and that no individual should be intimidated into silence or denied the right to a fair legal process. This high level commitment suggests that the federal government is viewing the Ozoro incidents not merely as local disturbances, but as a test of the national resolve to enforce gender safety standards across all states.