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

Is It Safe To Travel To Thailand And Cambodia As Border Clashes Escalate?

In July, a five-day flare-up displaced more than 200,000 people, left 40 dead and affected flights and land routes. Read more

Japan Earthquake: Is It Safe To Travel Despite The Megaquake Warning?

The ‘megaquake’ warning is the first since the category was introduced in 2022. Read more

Tuscan Wines And Alpine Climbs: Europes Luxury Trains Offer New Ways To Celebrate The New Year

La Dolce Vita's three-day experience comes with a price tag to match its exclusivity, starting at €11,280 per passenge... Read more

Lisbon Airport Queues Spark Security Warnings As Police Unions Cite Pressure To Speed Up Checks

Portuguese police unions have warned that government pressure to reduce airport queues is forcing the use of simplified ... Read more

Thailand Ends Its Afternoon Alcohol Ban: Heres What Travellers Need To Know

The afternoon alcohol sales ban dated to 1972, when it was passed to prevent civil servants from drinking during the wor... Read more

Eurostar On Track To Link Germany And UK. But, When Will Direct Trains Launch?

Direct train services linking Germany and the UK were unveiled earlier this year, but what progress has been made since? Read more