As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence enters its second day, the Vice Chairman of the Railway Market in Mile 1, Thaddeus Nwigwe, has advised men in the market to stop all forms of harassment against women. Speaking with our reporter on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Mr. Nwigwe stated that he does not condone public harassment of women, commonly referred to as groping. He warned that anyone caught acting violently toward women would face fines and possible arrest. He emphasized that the market leadership works hard to ensure the market remains safe and orderly, allowing women to buy and sell freely.
“We are against violence because if there is violence, there cannot be a peaceful atmosphere. So, we make sure to maintain peace and orderliness in the market. Men should shun anything that will cause embarrassment so that people feel free to come to the market and shop,” Nwigwe said.
Earlier, some women who shopped at the market expressed concerns about being groped by men. They described the behavior as disgusting. According to them, even when they confront the offenders, the men often insult them and call them derogatory names in retaliation. These women are calling on market authorities to address the issue and caution those responsible.
When asked about this behavior, a male vendor selling women’s clothing dismissed the complaints, saying that groping is “sometimes just their way of being playful.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Adata Bio-Briggs, emphasized that actions such as groping or stalking women in public places are punishable by law. She explained that such acts constitute assault, a crime under the criminal code.
“When a man harasses a woman or touches her inappropriately, it is an offense that can lead to jail,” she said.
On her part, the Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ahoada Branch, Hilda Desmond-Ihekaire, condemned the harassment of women and called for collective efforts to discourage it.
“You don’t need to physically beat someone for the law to recognize assault. Merely raising your hand or putting someone in apprehension of danger is already assault in itself,” she explained.
Desmond-Ihekaire further noted that men who engage in groping or grabbing women usually avoid doing the same to men because they fear retaliation. She reiterated that indecent assault, such as touching women inappropriately, is a punishable offense and should not be tolerated.
