Video. Viennese woman takes city to court over toilet fees

A 27-year-old Viennese woman has filed a lawsuit against the Vienna municipality, arguing that the way some public toilets are operated discriminates against women.

The dispute centres on a 50-cent fee for using toilet stalls. According to activist Melanie Gradik, men can use certain public urinals for free, while women do not have the same free alternative.

“I was in the Vienna city park with a friend and we both had to go to the bathroom. He was allowed to pee for free and I had to pay 50 cents. You know, how can that be?” Gradik said. “I would like everyone to go be able to go the bathroom on equal terms — either we all pay 50 cents or no one pays 50 cents. But it can’t be that one gender has to pay and the other gender gets free alternatives.”

According to her lawyer, Mag. Petra Laback, the current system gives men an option that women do not have.

“Men get free alternatives, but women don’t.” Laback says a ruling in her client’s favour could have consequences beyond the Austrian capital.

“If the verdict is passed in favour of my client, and if it’s confirmed in court, it will certainly have a precedent effect.”

She says other municipalities could also be affected by the outcome.

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