Madrid Campaigns To Stop Manspreading

Madrid is to incorporate anti-manspreading signage into its public transportation system. Man spreading refers to when men sit with their legs wide open, and thereby occupy more than one seat.

The Municipal Transportation Company, EMT Madrid, has said that it will incorporate informational signs specifically for avoiding ‘man spreading’, it said in a statement on Tuesday (June 6).

"The mission of this new icon is to remember the need to maintain civic behaviour and to respect the space of everyone on board the bus,” it said.

A feminist group, called Microcorrelatos Feministas, had petitioned the government to address the issue of manspreading. It had received more than 11,000 signatures.

“It is not difficult to see women with their legs closed and very uncomfortable because there is a man next to her who is invading her space with his legs. Placing some posters can be the starting point to raise awareness and to begin to respect our space,” says the petition.

Similar initiatives have been taken around the world. The New York subway system had started its own anti-manspreading campaign three years ago called “Dude, stop the spread please. It’s a space issue.”

Seattle also used the image of a self-centred purple octopus who was spreading too much to urge men to stop doing the same.

Also Read: Fed Up Of Mansplaining? You Are Not Alone

Picture Credit: Autopista.es