This train's "penis seat" is reserved for men and is serving a very important purpose.

The Mexico City government is teaching men what it’s like for women to take public transport in the most creative way.

A penis-shaped seat has been installed into the carriage of one of the city’s busiest trains.

Initially appearing like a regular chair, a mould of a semi-erect penis sits in the middle of the seat. A man’s chest has similarly been carved into the back.

A small sign placed above the seat encourages men to sit down with the message it is a chair “exclusive to men”.

The idea behind the installation is to shock men into considering the daily discomfort felt by women on transport networks and beyond.

A sign below the seat reads, "It's uncomfortable to sit here but it doesn't compare with the sexual violence that women suffer in their everyday lives. Nine out of ten women in Mexico City have been victims of some form of sexual violence."

Sexual harassment pervades every aspect of public life. Listen to our discussion on wolf-whistling here. Post continues after podcast. 

Fox News reported the Mexican Government said 65 per cent of women in the city had been harassed on buses or trains.

The discomfort felt by those who sit in the chair has been captured and circulated by the official campaign video. Unsuspecting men, are shown squirming, jumping up in alarm or being forced to sit by their jeering mates.

The video playing above captures the highlights of the official promotion but you can also watch the original in full below.