For many women in Lagos, going to the market is no longer just about buying foodstuff or household items. It has become an experience many silently dread because of the harassment, inappropriate comments, touching, and intimidation they face in crowded market spaces almost daily.
From popular markets like Balogun Market and Computer Village to smaller local markets scattered across the state, stories of women being touched without consent, verbally harassed, followed, or mocked for how they dress have become disturbingly common.
What makes the situation even more troubling is how normalized it has become.
Many people dismiss these actions as “market culture,” playful behavior, or harmless banter. But there is nothing harmless about making women feel unsafe in public spaces. There is nothing funny about unwanted touching, sexual comments, or aggressive advances simply because a woman walked through a crowded market.
Sadly, many victims choose silence because speaking up often leads to blame, ridicule, or even further harassment. Instead of condemning the offenders, society sometimes questions the victim’s clothing, movement, or reaction. That mindset is part of the problem.
Sexual harassment in markets thrives because accountability is almost nonexistent. In many cases, traders, bystanders, and even security personnel ignore the behavior unless it escalates physically. Some women have become so used to the experience that they mentally prepare themselves before entering certain market environments. That should never be normal.
Lagos is one of Africa’s busiest cities, filled with hardworking people trying to survive daily economic pressure. But economic struggle should never become an excuse for indecency or disrespect. Women deserve to move freely in public without fear of humiliation or harassment.
There is also a dangerous long-term effect when society continues to overlook these behaviors. Young boys grow up watching adults harass women openly without consequences, and they begin to see it as acceptable behavior. Over time, harassment becomes embedded into public culture, making it even harder to challenge.
The conversation around sexual harassment should not only happen in offices, universities, or social media spaces. Markets are public spaces too, and they deserve attention because thousands of women pass through them every single day.
More awareness campaigns, stronger market security presence, and stricter punishment for offenders are necessary. But beyond policies, there must also be a cultural shift. Respect should not depend on location, class, or environment.
A woman should be able to buy tomatoes, clothes, or electronics in Lagos without worrying about being touched, insulted, or sexually harassed.
That is not too much to ask.