Ozoro Festival : GMI Seeks Comprehensive Audit Of Cultural Practices

The Gender Mobile Initiative, GMI, has called for a comprehensive national audit of traditional and cultural practices following concerns arising from reported incidents at the Ozoro Festival in Delta State.

In a statement signed by the the communication Director of GMI, Abubakar Abdullahi in Abuja the development has sparked renewed scrutiny of cultural norms that may enable gender-based violations, particularly against women and girls.

The statement stresses that while cultural expressions remain an integral part of community identity, there is an urgent need to interrogate practices that undermine human dignity and perpetuate discrimination.

It notes that reports and longstanding narratives associated with the festival suggest the existence of traditions that single out and publicly shame certain categories of women, especially those perceived as infertile.

According to the statement, such actions, including symbolic acts that subject women to humiliation, are inconsistent with fundamental human rights and should not be justified on cultural or ritual grounds.

According to the statement, Team Lead of GMI, Omowunmi Ogunrotimi, says the situation highlights the importance of critically examining cultural frameworks that enable harm.

The statement maintains that traditions must not be used as a shield for practices that promote stigma, exclusion or violence, adding that cultural values should evolve in line with principles of dignity, equality and safety.

It further links the concerns raised by the Ozoro Festival to broader societal patterns that normalise the policing of women’s bodies and reinforce harmful gender norms across communities.

The statement emphasises that such issues are not isolated to Delta State, but reflect systemic challenges requiring coordinated policy and community-level interventions.

It, therefore calls for an inclusive and evidence-based audit of cultural practices across the country to identify harmful and discriminatory elements embedded in traditions.

The statement recommends that the audit process should involve collaboration among government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and human rights advocates to ensure balanced and culturally sensitive outcomes.

According to the statement, GMI also urges policymakers to develop frameworks that promote accountability and safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women and girls, while preserving positive cultural values.

It reiterates that culture should serve as a tool for social cohesion and human development, rather than a mechanism for exclusion or harm.

The statement reaffirms its commitment to advocating for reforms that ensure cultural practices uphold dignity, protect human rights and promote inclusive development in society.

PR/Georgina Humphrey