Urinals for women mooted to slash waiting times

Urinals for women mooted to slash waiting times

Association secretary Peggy Tsui demonstrates how the urinal can be used. Photo: RTHK

The ‪Hong Kong Toilet Association has urged the SAR government and private malls to bring in female urinals, as a way to save space and slash long waiting times at ladies' toilets.



A report by the Audit Commission had earlier slammed the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for failing to provide enough public bathrooms for women, leading to long queues outside the loos.



The association said one way to solve the issue would be to introduce female urinals. They said this would cut the time spent by almost half for users, while the urinals would also take up only about 50 percent of the space needed for the traditional cubicles.



The association's vice president, Henry Hung, said he feels it’s time for Hong Kong to have the standing urinal facilities for women and he’s confident the city's female residents will be ready to adapt to this.



"For a lady going to the toilet [now], it takes three to five minutes. For the urinal, maybe two minutes," said Hung.



Asked if women in Hong Kong would accept such a change, he said “once they try they will be more than happy to use it”.



The association said such facilities are in places such as the UK, India and mainland provinces including Sichuan.



The association also singled out the toilet at the East Tsim Sha Tsui public transport interchange terminal as the city's top facility, saying it also provides reminders about hygiene in three languages, as well as playing music.