A viral online video has sparked public concern about the groping of females in marketplace settings, a practice said to be common in some large local markets in Eastern Nigeria.
In the video, a lady recounted her experience of being groped as a child in a crowded marketplace, with no one coming to her aid. Her story reopened an important conversation about the safety of girls and women in public spaces, physical boundaries and who bears responsibility for preventing such acts.
Reacting to the issue on Nigeria Info’s Hello Port Harcourt, callers expressed divergent opinions. One caller said market unions should take responsibility by enforcing strict rules and sanctions against traders who engage in groping or other forms of harassment, noting that market leadership has the authority to regulate conduct within such spaces.
Another caller believes the act is part of what he termed a “marketing strategy” associated with large local markets, arguing that it is difficult to stop.
A third caller blamed indecent dressing, insisting that women should dress “properly” when visiting public places to avoid sexual harassment
See video:
