Street harassment occurs because our society has always allowed it and dismissed the behaviour as "men being men", says Hadleigh-West.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

From whistling to catcalling, and even groping, street harassment is an everyday reality for many women around the world.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

Not all men impose unwanted attention upon women, and Kearl agrees that it's important for these men to join in the movement to stop street harassment.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

Because society has perpetuated this as a cultural norm, men tend to engage in street harassment as a way to prove their masculinity, says Northeastern University associate professor of sociology Kathrin Zippel.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

And street harassment varies from country to country.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

But street harassment predates liberalization by generations.

WSJ: India Needs a Sexual Revolution

Indeed, street-level harassment is like traffic for drivers, an unavoidable nuisance women confront whenever they leave the house.

WSJ: India Needs a Sexual Revolution

And then there is the feminist explanation: patriarchy, which sees street-level harassment as an assertion of male domination.

WSJ: India Needs a Sexual Revolution

There's no suggestion that most men carry out harassment in the street, but occurrences are widespread.

BBC: Why do men shout at women in the street?

Street children are given soft drinks and a meal along with advice on what to do about police harassment.

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