The trial will coincide with World Toilet Day on 19 November
Shanghai will trial unisex toilets to cut queuing times.
The unisex toilets will be introduced in Pudong New Area and will consist of 10 unisex stalls, urinals and a stall for disabled people.
The opening of the trial will coincide with World Toilet Day on 19 November.
The unisex facilities will reportedly spare officials the decision of how to share male and female stalls.
Fu Liping, an official involved in the project, said,”It is an apparent problem that women have to wait in lines for toilets.”
The new stalls will be more spacious than regular ones. Attendants and higher partitions will be introduced to guarantee safety and privacy.
There are currently no plans to extend the trial as authorities are unsure whether citizens will catch on to the idea. Netizens have already expressed disapproval.
Weibo user Zhu Zhu Xi said, “I don’t really support the idea. After all, men and female are different,” whilst another Weibo user said: “The problem will be solved if they build double female toilets.”