▲ A public restroom in Vienna, Austria
In Europe, where a significant number of public restrooms charge fees, a woman has filed a lawsuit arguing that it is discriminatory for some men to use restrooms for free.
According to the Austrian daily Der Standard on the 25th (local time), activist Melanie Gradic (27) has filed a claim for damages against the Vienna city government, arguing that the public restroom pricing policy violates anti-discrimination laws.
Gradic stated, "Either everyone should pay 50 cents (about 800 won), or no one should pay anything," adding, "It may seem like a minor issue, but it is an example of how women face discrimination in daily life."
According to an investigation by Der Standard, out of 168 public restrooms managed by the Vienna authorities, 139 are free, while the remaining 29 charge 50 cents.
Fees are charged only when using cubicle toilets.
As a result, men can use urinals for free even at 20 of the 29 paid restrooms.
Progressive circles have argued that Vienna's restroom pricing policy ignores the reality of women, who often shoulder a heavier burden of caregiving.
Julia Majle, the women's policy spokesperson for the Vienna Green Party, said, "When you are with a young child, you often have to rush, and you do not always have 50 cents on hand."
However, Vienna authorities countered that there is no problem with the differential pricing because cleaning cubicle toilets incurs higher costs.
The authorities also argued that free urinals are equally accessible to all citizens and "contribute to preventing contamination caused by public urination."
The Austrian Ombudsman Board, a grievance handling body, already pointed out last year that Vienna's restroom pricing policy constitutes discrimination.
At the time, Chairperson Gabriela Schwarz rebutted the claim that cleaning costs are lower, stating, "Men do not always aim accurately at urinals anyway."
Amid the pricing controversy, the city of Salzburg, Austria, has decided to eliminate free urinals starting next year and charge men as well.
(Photo: AFP, Yonhap News)
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