Why Public Washrooms aren’t Working for Women

Resource
Written By Nicole Roach (she/her)

Woman entering public washroom in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC (Photo by Nicole Roach).

Everybody has to go - whatever their sex or gender. Despite everyone having the same fundamental needs, public washroom facilities don’t seem to be working for everyone, especially women and gender-diverse people. 
Public washrooms, also known as restrooms, bathrooms, or toilets, are typically a room or small building that includes sinks, toilets, and urinals that members of the public may freely use. These facilities often vary in size, accessibility, and maintenance standards. 

Here are eight reasons why many public washrooms in cities across Canada are not working for women and gender-diverse people, and what can be done to improve them for everyone. 

Not Enough of Them

When it comes to public washrooms in cities, there simply are not enough of them. According to a 2021 report, the Public Toilet Index, Canada has approximately 18 public toilets per 100k people in the country. This places us significantly behind countries such as Iceland (56/100k), Switzerland (46/100k), and New Zealand (45/100k). 
On-street public washroom facilities in Paris, France (photo by: Nicole Roach)

On-street public washroom facilities in Paris, France (Photo by Nicole Roach).

When washrooms are few and far between, women have to travel further distances to access them. In these instances, women may face increased risks, as women are more likely to experience gender-based harassment and violence in public space than men. Furthermore, when women are unable to relieve themselves in private facilities, they may be unfairly fined, and in extreme cases, sexually assaulted or murdered. The availability of washrooms can dictate women’s schedules and travel behaviours, with a UK report finding that 20% of people did not leave their homes as often as they would like because of lack of bathroom access. 

A map showing the availability of public washrooms (orange labels) in Vancouver compared to customer-only washroom facilities at Tim Hortons and Starbucks locations (red and green dots). Page from Emily Scoular’s thesis via The Tyee. 

Not Equal Waiting Time

Due to the lack of public washrooms, the ones that do exist may face longer line-ups, especially to access the women’s washroom. In a 2017 UK study, 59% of women reported having to queue for public toilets on a regular basis, compared to only 11% of men. It is also estimated that women have to wait as much as 34 times as long as men and may spend as much as twice as long as men using the facilities (96 vs 45 seconds). These findings have been linked to women washing their hands more often than men and factors related to pulling down or removing clothing, caregiving, menstruation, and other circumstances, as well as the layout of washrooms. Most men and women’s washrooms have been designed with the same footprint, but because men can utilize spatially-efficient urinals, whereas women rely on stalls, many more men can “do their business” in that space compared to women (pg. 19, 20). 
Women statistically need to use the washroom more frequently than men, for reasons such as pregnancy, menstruation, a medical condition (such as irritable bowel syndrome or endometriosis), caregiving, and more. Women already experience time poverty in their daily lives, so spending a longer time waiting in lines for the washroom exacerbates those inequalities further. Additionally, waiting in longer lines can mean that women have to “hold it” for long periods of time, which can increase the likelihood of developing urinary tract infections. 
Women waiting in line-up to use the washroom. Photo via Potty Parity E-Quips.

Women waiting in line-up to use the washroom (Photo via Potty Parity E-Quips).

Not Year-Round

There is already an insufficient amount of public washrooms available in Canadian cities, and this is especially felt in parks, plazas, and other public areas. In addition to this, when public washrooms are available, many municipalities deem them as seasonal-specific facilities , closing them for months of the year. 

In response to a “washroom closed for the season sign”, Cheryl White cleverly posted on Twitter: “when is peeing season?” (screenshot via Twitter).

Obviously, everyone has to pee all year-round, but unfortunately, many municipalities deem the maintenance costs of year-round washrooms and risks of frost damaging pipes to be too high, and opt to close them seasonally. As many women are primary caregivers and frequently bring children or relatives with them to public parks, the closure of washrooms can have major impacts. The closed washrooms may keep people from visiting these locations altogether, not wanting to risk having to go without a place to relieve themselves. This can further reduce women’s ability to access green space and get physical activity. 
A stand-alone public washroom facility in a park in Vancouver, BC (photo by: Nicole Roach)

A stand-alone public washroom facility in a park in Vancouver, BC (Photo by Nicole Roach).

Not Free

Even when washrooms are available, they may not always be free-of-charge. Some washroom facilities cost money on a per-use basis and may unlock after a certain amount of time has passed. Similarly, private facilities, such as those in shops, cafés, and restaurants, are only open during business hours and at the discretion of the business, often limiting it to customers. 

Women also experience poverty at higher rates than men, due to the gender pay gap, unpaid care work, and other circumstances, meaning that washrooms that require the user to also be a customer, shuts many women experiencing poverty out. This is especially problematic for women experiencing homelessness, who may have nowhere to go to the bathroom, wash themselves, or manage menstrual bleeding.

Pay-per-use toilet in Marilyn Bell Park, Toronto, ON (Photo by Nicole Roach).

Not Gender-Inclusive

Washrooms are commonly split based on gender, with facilities separated for men or women. Gendered washrooms, with only two options, force anyone outside of the gender binary, such as non-binary, agender, or two-spirit persons, to use a facility that does not fit their gender identity. This can lead to uncomfortable and even dangerous interactions with other washroom users. Additionally, in the United States, there are numerous anti-trans bathroom laws in place which force people to use the facility that corresponds to their sex at birth, dictating that trans women must use the men’s facilities. These laws are incredibly harmful, as trans people are more likely to have experienced inappropriate behaviours and violence in public than cisgender people, which is further exacerbated in a gendered space, such as a washroom. 

Presently, Canada does not have anti-trans bathroom laws in place. However, our discourse is heavily influenced by the States and there have still been attacks on human rights with regard to bathrooms, notably, the amendments to Bill C-79. Canadians continue to advocate for more gender-inclusive policies and fight against transphobia as part of the #WeJustNeedtoPee and #PlettPutMeHere campaigns, among other actions.

“This Bathroom is for Everyone Sign” in Calgary First Street Market (Photo by Varvara Belenko).

Not Accessible

In public washrooms, an accessible stall may be absent or, because of the high-demand for facilities, in-use by someone able-bodied. Even when accessible facilities exist, they often fail to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. 
According to Canadian census data, nearly 14.9% of women aged 15 or older reported having one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities, compared to 12.5% of men. About half (49.9%) of women with disabilities had disabilities considered severe or very severe, with this likelihood increasing with age. Furthermore, more than half of women (52%) provided some form of care to children and care-dependent adults, with women being more likely than men (42%) to provide care. The lack of accessible facilities has a serious impact on women with disabilities, aging women, and their carers, which can cause injury, discomfort, and can also inhibit a person's ability to socialize and engage in their community. 

An example of an accessible public washroom via Changing Places, an organization that advocates for public  facilities to be equipped with the appropriate equipment and adequate space. 

Not Suitable for Caregivers

Bathroom stalls are generally designed for one person at a time, which makes it difficult for caregivers to coordinate bathroom breaks with small children in tow. Changing tables are also a concern, as they frequently don’t exist in washrooms, and if they do, there is usually only one available. Furthermore, the dimensions of most toilets and washroom sinks are designed for adults, meaning that caregivers often have to hold their children over the toilet or lift their children up to wash their hands, both of which can be physically demanding and time-consuming. 
As mentioned above, women are frequently the primary caregivers of children and are often the ones going to the washroom with kids. The onus of care is put on women in many ways, including the fact that changing tables are rarely made available in men’s washrooms. Even in situations where men want to take on more childcare responsibilities, the equipment available in public washrooms limits them. The lack of sufficient facilities reinforces women in heterosexual partnerships to continue to disproportionately bear the burden of childcare. Fortunately, Ontario’s building code was amended to mandate universal restrooms with change tables in all new and larger buildings, and there is positive momentum for other provinces to follow suit. 

Man squatted in a public restroom to change his baby’s diaper due to the lack of changing tables in men’s washrooms (Photo by Donte Palmer via Bored Panda).

Not Designed for Menstruation

Women’s bathrooms may or may not be equipped with menstruation products, and when they are, they are almost always for purchase. A study by Plan International Canada found that 1 in 5 people who menstruate in Canada struggle to afford menstrual products, exacerbating challenges for women experiencing poverty. Most washrooms only have small bins for disposal of used products, but they can be unsanitary and can frequently overflow if they are not well-maintained. Furthermore, the majority of bathroom stalls do not have access to flowing water or a sink, with that being a shared space outside of the stalls. This has negative implications for those changing menstrual cups, or persons in the circumstances when blood has leaked through undergarments and clothing. 
One of many bathroom stalls that includes a closed door and private sink in Stockholm, Sweden (photo by: Nicole Roach)

One of many bathroom stalls that includes a closed door and private sink in Stockholm, Sweden (Photo by Nicole Roach).

Menstruation may or may not impact women, whether they are pregnant, have reached menopause, or experiencing health conditions that may stop or disrupt their periods. Menstruation can also impact trans men, non-binary, agender, and two-spirit persons. Not accommodating menstruation by providing free menstrual products and access to sanitation - in washroom facilities for all genders - has a negative impact on many people, for much of their lives. 

Dispensers with free menstrual products installed in City of Mississauga facilities (Photo by Nicole Roach).

Towards Better Bathrooms

Better bathrooms can include the additional availability of gender-neutral and family-oriented facilities. Public washrooms could also include more stalls that have doors fully (or nearly) from floor to ceiling, with access to sinks, change tables, free period products, accessible toilets, and other caregiving features. 
We need better bathrooms, but we also just need more of them, everywhere! There needs to be clear wayfinding signage to them, and they need to be open at convenient times, all days of the week, and throughout the seasons. Furthermore, public washrooms must be free to all, and sufficiently available so persons are not relying on private businesses to fulfill their basic needs. 
Canada has established “potty parity” laws, and some Canadian cities are taking steps to make public washrooms more widely available and easier to find. For example, major cities have been implementing automated self-cleaning toilets, with Waterloo getting its first, Calgary having two, Toronto having three, Vancouver having 11, and Montréal having 12. Edmonton publishes a map of washrooms available in parks, libraries, and train stations, and Winnipeg piloted a public washroom pop-up in downtown to address the lack of facilities. 
Pop-up Winnipeg Public Toilet. Photography by Jacqueline Young, Stationpoint Photographic via Bridgman Collaborative.

Pop-up Winnipeg Public Toilet. Photography by Jacqueline Young, Stationpoint Photographic via Bridgman Collaborative. 

While progress is being made, many of these facilities are still pay-per-use, out of commision, and do not meet the numerous other needs of the diverse individuals that rely on them. Clearly, much more work needs to be done to reach actual “potty-parity”. 
Let’s do better on public bathrooms, for women, and everyone else who needs them. 

Resources 

Nicole Roach (she/her)

She holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and Communications from McMaster University and a Masters of Sustainability Science, Policy, and Society from Maastricht University. She has worked in the field of sustainable transportation for several years, with a focus on commuting behaviours, community engagement, and children’s mobility.

Nicole brings her interest and expertise to the topics of feminist theory, urban mobility, and sustainability.

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