There are many possible answers to this question, and we’ll cover a few in this article. First, let’s focus on something less obvious to the average person - the requirements architects must meet. On Instagram, some specialists in this field posted a video explaining why women often end up "disadvantaged".
Why Are There Lines for Women’s Restrooms? "We See a Disparity in Facilities for Men"
Where do these lines in women’s restrooms come from? Let’s focus on technical regulations. These stipulate that for every 20 women, there must be 1 toilet, and for every 30 men, there must be 1 toilet and 1 urinal. To simplify, let’s assume that one urinal or toilet equals one "spot". For 60 women, this means 3 spots, while for 60 men, it's 2 toilets and 2 urinals, equaling 4 spots. If we scale this up, you’ll see how large the disparity becomes.
For 240 women, there are 12 spots, while for 240 men, there are 8 toilets and 8 urinals, meaning 16 spots. We can clearly see that there are more facilities for men than for women.
So, the main reason for the lines outside women’s restrooms is the regulations. "Since my time as a student, I’ve been wondering why changes haven’t been made in this regard" - commented one architect.
"And how long does it take a man to change a tampon or pad?"
In the comments, many other reasons were offered as to why lines form for women’s restrooms. Some were made in a humorous tone, and it’s hard not to smile. However, the fact remains that this is a serious issue. It affects not only women who urgently need the restroom but also those dealing with urinary conditions or menstruation. One commenter pointed out:
"And how long does it take a man to change a tampon or pad?"
"Add to this the following facts:
- Menstruation (changing a pad, cup, or tampon takes much longer than just peeing).
- Women have a different urinary system (we need to use the restroom more frequently).
- Postpartum recovery (yes, women in postpartum also use restrooms - often hiding there to pump breast milk, which is degrading to their dignity).
- In most cases, it’s women who take small children to the restroom with them, so first, the child goes, then the mom has to go too."
Another person humorously summed it up:
Guy: unzip, whip out the hose, pee, tuck it back in, zip up again. Woman: put down the purse, lift the skirt or dress, pull down tights and underwear, sit (after laying down toilet paper on the seat), pee, and then dress back up. That’s the main reason - it’s the time it takes to access the equipment.
Someone else added, "You also have to remember the rule that every other urinal should be left free".
Perhaps now is the time to highlight that this is indeed a real issue and to adapt the technical requirements of public restrooms to better serve the public. What do you think about lines in women’s restrooms? Do you notice them, or is this not an issue that affects you at all?
