MEN could be fined on the spot if they are caught catcalling or harassing women in the street with the introduction of a new law in France.

The legislation is being headed by Gender Equality Minister Marlene Schiappa and is set to be the next step in tackling sexist attitudes and harassment public places.

Men will be fined for catcalling or other lewd behaviour towards women in public under the new harassment policy, which is set to be passed next year.

“It’s completely necessary because at the moment street harassment is not defined in the law,” Schiappa told French radio station RTL.

French President Emmanuel Macron has shown his support for the new law, saying on Sunday that he will send new teams of community police to enforce the law, according to The Telegraph.

Plans to introduce the new policy come amid a fierce debate in France over what constitutes sexual harassment, which has been rekindled by the growing sexual assault allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.

Women have been encouraged on Twitter to share their experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace, though the hashtag #balancetonporc, translated to “Expose the Pig”.

Around 86,000 women shared their stories online, making it the number one hashtag in France.

Some people have raised concerns over the new legislation, saying that it is difficult to discern what constitutes harassment as opposed to flirting.

Schiappa replied to these criticisms by citing common examples of harassment that women experienced in public, such as when a man purposefully invaded a woman’s space “by talking to you 10, 20 centimetres from your face”, followed her down the street or “asks for your number 17 times”.

“We know very well at what point we start feeling intimidated, unsafe or harassed in the street,” she said.

A taskforce made up of five MPs are working with police and magistrates to create a definition of harassment that can be used to enforce this law.

“The level of the fine is part of our discussions,” said Schiappa, but added that it should be low enough for offenders to have to pay it on the spot.

“The symbolic value of laws that outlaw street harassment is very great.”

Additional changes brought in by the new law will include lengthening the amount of time people have to lodge sexual assault claims from when they were minors, from the current 20 years after the victim has turned 18 to 30 years.

It will also toughen legislation surrounding sex with a minor by introducing an age under which a child cannot consent to sex which currently only automatically includes children that are 5-years-old or under.

“The important thing is that there is no debate about consent when it comes to children,” Ms Schiappa said.

“So no one can say it is their fault. Because it is never their fault.”