‘Loo-dicrous’ : China’s government weighs in on why there aren’t enough public toilets for women
Ministry directive suggests that two toilet stalls should be provided for women for every one for men in public lavatories in more populous areas to avoid queuing
Long lines of women queuing up to go the toilet in cities in China may finally be a thing of the past after the government’s top urban planning agency has issued a directive increasing the ratio of women’s lavatory stalls to men’s that should be provided in public conveniences.
There should two women’s public lavatory stalls for every one for men in more populous areas such as shopping malls and a ratio of three to two in other areas, according to the latest design standard set by the government.
The initiative was announced ahead of World Toilet Day this Saturday.
The directive comes into force on December 1 and was reported by the China Construction newspaper, which is under the control of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
The report said the ministry introduced the new standards after studying the toilet habits of more than 720,000 people and the aim was to address the shortage of lavatories for women.
There have been calls for years in China for more toilets to be provided for women and end the agonising queuing at public lavatories.