Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris has called for practical solutions to ensure privacy, safety and dignity in shared toilet facilities.
The Nairobi Woman Representative has proposed gender-neutral toilets alongside designated facilities for women, men and persons with disabilities.
Passaris said leadership must uphold everyone's rights and dignity regardless of sex, gender or gender identity, while also taking into account concerns raised by women and girls about privacy, safety and comfort in shared bathrooms.
"Leadership demands upholding everyone's rights and dignity, regardless of sex, gender or gender identity. At the same time, I take seriously the concerns raised by women and girls regarding privacy, safety and comfort in shared bathrooms. These concerns cannot be dismissed and deserve respectful consideration," she said.
She proposed the provision of private, gender-neutral toilets alongside designated women's and men's facilities, as well as accessible toilets for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Passaris said the approach would help ensure safe and dignified access to sanitation facilities while addressing the concerns of different groups.
She also urged leaders and members of the public to approach discussions surrounding toilet access respectfully, cautioning against shaming transgender and intersex persons or their families.
"Privacy, safety and human dignity must guide the conversation concurrently," she said.
The Nairobi Woman Representative said leaders have a responsibility to listen to the concerns raised and pursue practical solutions that protect the rights of all individuals.
She called for appropriate laws and policies to safeguard privacy, safety and dignity, emphasising the need to consider the concerns of women and girls alongside the rights of transgender and intersex persons.
The ongoing debate over whether cross-dressers should be allowed to use women's washrooms has raised questions about privacy, safety and access to public facilities.
Some women and girls have expressed concerns about their comfort and security in shared spaces, while others have called for solutions that ensure everyone can access sanitation facilities with dignity and without discrimination.
The discussion has prompted calls for practical measures, including private, gender-neutral toilets alongside designated women's and men's facilities.
Supporters of this approach argue that providing additional private facilities could help address concerns about privacy and safety while reducing tensions surrounding access to public washrooms.
“And gender-neutral bathrooms are an overall good. Been asked by dads to take their babies to the bathroom because most male bathrooms aren't suitable for young girls (urinals and all) and the dads don't want to go to the ladies. Gender neutral bathrooms would handle this,” an X user said.
