Gendered Toilets Make the Perfect Case for Equity Over Equality

Women’s needs are different from men’s — so an approach focused on equality over equity is not the solution.

Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash

The Ministry of Housing in the United Kingdom launched a long-overdue technical review into the toilet provision for men and women back in October. The consultation was due to conclude earlier this year but has now been extended.

While men and women in the UK are entitled to separate facilities, legislation has largely failed to acknowledge their differing needs until now. This review will be an important first step in achieving equity rather than equality between the sexes.

There is a subtle difference between the two. Equality, in this context, means an equal number of toilets for men and women regardless of their individual needs. Equity would consider the individual needs of men and women and design facilities based on this. This article sums up the difference between the two perfectly:

“Equality has to do with giving everyone the exact same resources, whereas equity involves distributing resources based on the needs of the recipients.”