A-Goal condemns the Ozoro incident; applauds FIFA for improved gender policy
We condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric communal rape and assaults reported in Ozoro community of Delta State in the name of a festival.
No festival or tradition justifies the violation of human bodies. This kind of act is a direct violation of the provisions of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which criminalizes harmful traditional practices and sexual violence.
The Nigeria Police Force must properly prosecute the traditional leaders of the community. They are supposed to be the guardrails of human dignity and rights, not architects of abuse and sexual assault.
This tragic event occurred just as FIFA, under the leadership of President Gianni Infantino, a staunch advocate for gender equity, announced a landmark policy. It provides that, henceforth, every women’s national team must include at least two female staff members on the bench, with one serving as either the Head Coach or Assistant Coach at the minimum.
We applaud this historic rule and commend President Infantino for vigorously pushing for improved female representation in the world’s most popular sport. It is noteworthy to recall that under his leadership, Fatma Samoura was appointed as the first female and first black Secretary-General in FIFA’s history -breaking a glass ceiling that had stood for over a century.
Therefore, as the world moves toward inclusion and the protection of #women, we must not allow Ozoro to fall into barbarism. The VAPP Act must be the shield that protects our women where tradition has failed.
