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<p>Toilets, both in municipal and private sector locations, are an important facility
for members of the public, in particular women, those with children, older people
and disabled people.</p><p>A) In January we identified a majority of personal views
amongst the responses and so we extended until 26 February to gather more technical
guidance relating to toilet provision.</p><p>B) Media coverage, personal accounts
and parliamentary scrutiny described inequality in the use and provision of toilets,
particularly for women. In recent years, we have seen examples of the removal of well-established
male-only/female-only spaces when premises are built or refurbished, and they have
often been replaced with gender-neutral toilets. This places women at a significant
disadvantage. While men can then use both cubicles and urinals, women can only use
the former, and women also need safe spaces given their particular health and sanitary
needs (for example, women who are menstruating, pregnant or at menopause, may need
to use the toilet more often). Women are also likely to feel less comfortable using
mixed sex facilities, and require more space.</p>
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