The Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI) announce the launch of its Strategic High Impact Multi-Stakeholder Intervention Following Ozoro Festival Incidents, aimed at ending sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in cultural and community spaces across Delta State, Nigeria.
This intervention, led by Pst. Edewor Egedegbe, Executive Director of VREI, is a direct response to the reported cases of rape and sexual assault during the recent Ozoro Festival. The initiative is anchored on VREI’s project titled “Sustaining Coordinated Multi-Stakeholder Response to End Sexual Violence in Delta State, Nigeria.”
The project is supported by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and reflects VREI’s commitment to building value-driven citizens and institutions while addressing the urgent need for safer cultural spaces. It responds not only to the immediate incidents in Ozoro but also to the systemic gaps in prevention, protection, accountability and survivor support that continue to expose women and girls to violence during public events.
As a key implementing partner of the Male Feminist Network (MFN) in the South-South Region, VREI is leveraging a coordinated and inclusive approach that brings together community stakeholders, government institutions, civil society actors and male allies to drive sustainable change.
Speaking on the initiative, Pst. Edewor Egedegbe stated:
“This intervention is both urgent and strategic. The Ozoro Festival incidents have revealed deep-rooted structural and cultural challenges that must be addressed collectively. Our focus is not only on response, but on prevention, protection, accountability and long-term transformation of societal norms. We are committed to ensuring that women and girls are safe in all communities and cultural spaces.”
The intervention adopts a multi-stakeholder and survivor-centred approach, focusing on strengthening community-based and institutional mechanisms to prevent sexual violence, promoting enforcement of existing legal frameworks such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), and challenging harmful social norms that perpetuate abuse.
Key activities under the project include targeted engagements with community pressure groups such as women, youth, traditional councils and students; strategic meetings with Community Safeguarding Committees; high-level advocacy visits to duty bearers; and continuous monitoring, evaluation and learning to ensure effective implementation and impact.
The initiative will also prioritise community sensitisation, social norm transformation and male engagement through the Male Feminist Network (MFN), promoting positive masculinity and encouraging men and boys to become active agents of change in preventing SGBV.
By fostering collaboration among law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, ministries, traditional institutions and civil society organisations, the project aims to improve access to survivor-centred services, increase reporting and prosecution of cases, and strengthen accountability systems across Delta State.
The Ozoro intervention marks the beginning of a sustained effort to institutionalise prevention and response mechanisms, empower local actors, and ensure long-term community ownership of SGBV prevention strategies. VREI reaffirms its commitment to creating a society where cultural celebrations no longer pose risks, but instead reflect dignity, safety and respect for all.
For media inquiries, partnerships or further information, please contact:
Pst. Edewor Egedegbe
Executive Director
Value Rebirth and Empowerment Initiative (VREI)
Suite 20/21 Sisanwa Plaza, Along Uti Road, Effurun-Warri, Delta State
Phone: +234 806 947 5030
Email: vrei2014@gmail.com