Nollywood actress Shine Rosman has sparked serious conversations about women’s safety in public spaces after highlighting the rampant and normalised sexual harassment faced by women in Lagos, particularly in busy areas like Yaba market.
In a recent interview with Tolu Afilaka, the actress expressed deep concern over how frequently women are touched inappropriately in public without any consequences.
“Do you know how bad sexual harassment is in Lagos. Like go to Yaba, as a girl and see how you will be touched inappropriately. Everybody hearing this knows that it is true. But till today, nothing is being done about it.”
Rosman criticised the societal inaction that allows such behaviour to thrive.
“You’re walking in Yaba and people are touching you inappropriately and nothing will happen.”
She further questioned the lack of government intervention, asking:
“If the government is not going to do anything, is it not ok for us to defend ourselves?”
The actress warned about the dangerous progression of unchecked harassment.
“If a man can sexually harass you, casually, during the day, what do you think he can do behind closed doors when no one is looking?”
She described the issue as still being treated as “one of the most passive things” in 2026 Nigeria.
Her comments have generated heated debates online, with many users agreeing that harassment is a serious problem in crowded markets, while others pointed to factors like indecency and personal responsibility. Many women also shared similar experiences in public spaces across Lagos and echoed the fact that everyone should be able to move freely without fear of inappropriate touching or abuse.