Catcalling or harassing women publicly has become a widespread problem all over the world so that Mexico’s metro system has resorted to unconventional measures to make women’s commuting as peaceful as possible.
After recent reports that 65 percent of women in the country’s capital have been groped and harassed in buses and trains, subway officials launched the “sexist” men’s seats, which feature a molded plastic nude male torso—complete with a flaccid appendage.
According to New York Post report, the seat is accompanied by a sign which reads: “Exclusive for men”—the sexist part of the seat—and “It’s uncomfortable to sit here but it doesn’t compare with the sexual violence that women suffer in their everyday lives.”
As seen in a video ad to promote the campaign, several men chose to stand instead of occupying the uncomfortable seat, while some unknowing passengers were startled to feel its male organ-like shape on their behinds.
The Mexican government, meanwhile, has launched several campaigns in the past to assure the safety of women in public transportation.
Last year, they assigned a group of anonymous, all-female public transport police unit, to lurk in trains and apprehend gropers and those who harass women verbally.
The sexist male-only seats, on the other hand, is specifically designed to make men feel the same discomfort that women endure when commuting.
Aside from penises, other seats are also complete with chest, abs and other prominent male features. Khristian Ibarrola /ra