Recently, a few open, quick-use urinals were planted in Paris. Notre Dame Cathedral and River Seine saw a lot of small, exposed urinals placed in the area. The city claims to have about 450 self-cleaning public toilets were and more such exposed small urinals are now available for use across the city. Paris is struggling with a problem of almost all men openly peeing in public and 'soaking the pavements' with pee and as a solution to this the officials may have come up with this idea.

However, this new 'facility' in no time turned controversial as it very clearly ignored the women tourists and residents. Feminist activists have taken strict actions against these urinals. As per reports from New York Times, the activists plugged up two of the urinals with cement and "took the opportunity to festoon them with tampons and protest stickers aimed at men". Apart from calling it out of being sexist they even claimed that the authorities were exhibiting a message that they only want to make things convenient for the men and that the streets don't even belong to the women any more. They made it clear that men ruled the streets and could openly expose themselves in public areas and far from solving the public peeing issue it is making life more difficult for the women. The activists find these urinals extremely sexist and discriminating. With both men and women occupying these public spaces, men expose themselves completely open for these urinals even at very public places. This isn't only highly uncomfortable but also raises concerns regarding the safety of women. The activist also put the message out that the authorities are trying to reinforce the notion that it's ok for men to expose themselves and urinate in public and on the other hand women are still criticised for breastfeeding openly in public spaces.

The 'uritrottoirs', bright red in colour will almost look to you like planters to you and are of a size of big dustbins found in the streets of India. However, a sign directs down to an opening that will show you a mini urinal have U-shaped holder kind of structure. The placements of these urinals are claimed to really weird as a few are placed facing the ways having tourist boats. Back in India,  Do you know about the Indian Railways' New Toilet Policy: Condoms, Sanitary Napkins to be Sold at Station Premises

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2018 12:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).