By Tolu Meduna
March is globally recognised as a time to celebrate women, their strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions to society. From International Women’s Day to various community-driven initiatives, the world uses this month to amplify the voices and rights of women. Yet, in a troubling contrast, what unfolded in Ozoro this March presents a disturbing deviation from the very essence of that celebration, a tale of two worlds, sharply divided by values and human dignity.
While women in many parts of the world were honoured with gifts, recognition, and opportunities, the so-called “fertility celebration” in Ozoro exposed a darker reality. What is described as a cultural festival became, in practice, a platform for harassment. A viral video from March 21, 2026, captured young men swarming a woman on the street, an image that has since stirred outrage across the nation. The young lady, visibly terrified, pleaded for help as her personal space and dignity were violated in broad daylight.
The incident was not only shocking for its brazenness but also for what it represents-a normalisation of harmful behaviour disguised as tradition. The woman, dressed in a yellow top and blue jeans, became a target not by choice but by circumstance. Her cries echoed a deeper issue: the vulnerability of women in spaces where culture is weaponised against them. Even more disturbing was the presence of children, who witnessed the incident, potentially internalising such acts as acceptable.
In response, the leadership of Ozoro Kingdom released a statement attempting to contextualise the event within the framework of the Alue-Do Festival, a fertility rite said to symbolise blessings for childbearing. While the statement condemned the actions of certain youths, it also sought to downplay the gravity of the incident, asserting that no rape occurred and that the acts were misinterpretations of tradition. However, this defence raises critical questions about accountability and the limits of cultural justification.
Culture, in its truest form, should uplift and unite, not degrade or endanger. The invocation of tradition cannot and must not serve as a shield for abuse. Nigeria’s legal framework, particularly the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, is explicit in its stance against all forms of violence and harmful traditional practices. Sections of the Act clearly prohibit actions that inflict physical, emotional, or psychological harm, regardless of cultural context.
The reaction from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development accentuates the seriousness of the matter. The Ministry condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as reflective of a dangerous “rape culture” and a violation of human dignity. It reaffirmed the commitment of the government, under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to protect women and ensure that perpetrators of such acts are brought to justice.
Beyond legal responses, this incident highlights the urgent need for societal reorientation. Communities must engage in honest introspection about the traditions they uphold and the values they transmit to younger generations. Cultural practices are not static; they evolve, and when they clash with fundamental human rights, they must be reformed or abandoned. The responsibility lies not only with leaders but with every member of society.
For many women, especially survivors of harassment and abuse, such incidents reopen old wounds and reinforce a sense of insecurity. March should be a month of empowerment, not fear. As Nigeria continues to navigate the delicate balance between preserving culture and upholding human rights, the events in Ozoro serve as a stark reminder: no tradition should come at the cost of a woman’s dignity.
*Tolu Meduna, Strategic Integrated Communications Consult.