S Lalitha By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: A Maldivian national’s tweet on Thursday, lauding the Kempegowda International Airport for having a diaper changing station in the men’s washroom has generated a debate on gender stereotypes in society apart from being liked and retweeted by many.

Ali Samhaan, a self-proclaimed food critic tweeted from his handle @khamsyn: “Saw this in Bangalore international airport men’s room,” along with a picture of the station.

Managing Director of Asia Groups Pvt Ltd in Maldives, Hafsath Aleem instantly retorted, “So what? Is this a task only for women. FYI men also do change baby’s diapers.” Samhaan replied saying he was only appreciating the gesture.

‘Great for dads n single dads’ and ‘This is epic’ were some of the responses to the tweet.

On a query by Twitter user Ashwin, “How many men did you see go in with a baby?” Samhaan replied, “I did see 1 man with a baby girl go in there actually.”

In a day’s time, the tweet received 179 likes and 21 retweets. Asked about it, a spokesperson of the airport operator, BIAL said the airport believed the diaper changing station was a mandatory requirement in any washroom, irrespective of gender.

“In a world where an increasing number of mothers are in the workforce and an increasing number of fathers participate in child-rearing, we believe that this is a must-have!” The diaper-change station has been a feature of all washrooms at the airport for over five years, the spokesperson said.

How men’s restrooms got diaper stations?

An NGO based in the US, the National Coalition for Men, filed a law suit in 1985 against John Hancock International Airport in New York for not having diaper-changing tables in the men’s restrooms. It was supported by Fathers Rights Association of New York.

Even before the trial commenced, a settlement was reached to equip all men’s washrooms with such stations. This ensured diaper changing tables internationally.