Women in Berlin will be allowed to go swimming topless after a discrimination complaint.
The decision was made after the complainant, whose identity remains private, turned to the senate’s ombudsperson’s office for equal treatment to demand the same rights as their male counterparts when it comes to going topless in Berlin‘s public swimming pools.
In reaction to the complaint and the ombudsperson’s involvement in the case, the Berliner Baederbetriebe, which runs the city’s public pools, decided to change its rules for swimming attire – now allowing everyone to go topless.
Doris Liebscher, the head of the ombudsperson’s office, said they “very much welcomed the decision” of the Baederbetriebe.
“It establishes equal rights for all Berliners, whether male, female or non-binary, and because it also creates legal certainty for the staff,” she said.
In the past, women who wanted to swim topless at Berlin pools were asked to cover themselves or to leave the pool, and were sometimes given a permanent ban from the establishment.
Read more from Sky News:
Fiona Bruce to step down from charity ambassador role after claims she trivialised domestic violence
The armed forces using virtual worlds to rehearse wars
“Now it is important that the regulation is applied consistently and that no more expulsions or house bans are issued,” Ms Liebscher added.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
The date the change will be brought in is unconfirmed.
