Free The Nipple: Public Pools In Catalonia Must Allow Women To Go Topless, Government Urges

The Catalan government has reminded public swimming pools that they can’t ban women from going topless.

Public pools in Catalonia must allow women to go topless, the regional government has declared.

The right to swim without a top has been enshrined in Catalan equality law since 2020.

But several public pools continued to turn away women who exercised this right.

Now, the Catalan government's Department of Equality and Feminism has written a letter to town and city halls reminding them of their obligation to permit topless swimmers of whatever sex.

Preventing women from going topless “excludes part of the population and violates the free choice of each person with regard to their body,” the letter reads.

"Local authorities must defend against discrimination for any motive… including sex or gender, religious convictions or dress."

Pools that fail to comply with the equality law could face a €500,000 fine.

So if you’re planning on travelling to the Spanish region, make sure you pack a bikini - but don’t sweat if you forget the top half.

The Feminist group Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples) has welcomed the decision.

"This is a gender equality issue: Men could [go topless] and women couldn't,” spokeswoman Mariona Trabal said.

"We don't know why they have taken so long, but we are very happy."

And some pool-goers share this view.

“I would go topless, of course I would, and many times I have been told to cover up,” one female Spanish swimmer told EBU.

“Everyone should be free to go without a top if they don`t feel like it, I understand that in a private pool you are subject to what the owner decides, but in public pools we have to go the same for men and women,” agreed another.

“If they don’t wear a top, we don’t have to wear one either.”

The left-leaning Catalan government launched a campaign last year to normalise women going topless if they want to.

“The sexualisation of women starts when they are young, and it accompanies us all our lives. That we must cover up our breasts in some spaces is proof,” a video released as part of the campaign said.

RECENT NEWS

Europe Has An Extraordinary Culture Of Nudity: Where And Why To Try A Naked Yoga Retreat

The UK-based teacher says opening up to the practice of naked yoga has broadened the minds of clients worldwide. Read more

Heathrow Strikes: Hundreds Of Airport Workers Set To Walk Out In April And May

Many staff members at the UK’s busiest airport will strike over changes unions say are unfair - here’s when and why ... Read more

Glasgow Is Planning To Pilot A Free Public Transport Scheme - But Theres A Rocky Road Ahead

The pilot scheme would initially be tested out on 1,000 Glaswegians - but it’s far from coming to fruition as funding ... Read more

We Can Get Tourism Policies Right — These Three European Cities Show How It Can Be Done

To harness the power of travel, alleviate the drawbacks with smart policies, and make our world more tolerant and inclus... Read more

Venice Entry Fee Launches: Day-trippers Now Have To Pay To Visit The Italian City At Peak Times

Venice has rolled out a tourism tax to try to stop overcowding on peak weekends. Read more

Europe's Travel Strikes: Flight And Train Disruption You Can Expect In April And May

Our guide is updated as soon as a new European strike is announced. Read more