Public pools in Spain must let women to swim topless in major win for feminists

27 June 2023 , 19:42

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Women in Spain's Catalan region must be allowed to enjoy public pools topless (stock image) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

In a major win for feminist activists, Spanish women must be allowed to sunbathe topless in public swimming pools.

As enshrined in a 2020 Catalan equality law, women are permitted to bare their breasts when going for a dip, with local authorities prohibited from any form of discrimination towards those who choose to do so.

Despite the law, some municipal swimming pools in recent years have stopped women from going topless after receiving dozens of complaints during the summer months.

The local governments are now being told that it is against the law to do so.

Stopping the Spanish right to bare all "excludes part of the population and violated the free choice of each person with regard to their body", reads a letter written by the Catalan Government's department of equality and feminism.

Woman thrown out of boyfriend's bedroom in shared house naked after row is fined

The breast-baring law came into effect in 2020 (Getty Images)

Local officials are being told it is their responsibility to "defend against discrimination for any motive, including sex or gender, religious convictions or dress".

In relation to the latter statement, this means that public spaces must not prevent women breastfeeding in public, and women choosing to use full body bathing suits must be allowed to do so.

A spokesperson for the Catalan government told local media that the letter was a "reminder" but stressed how local authorities must adhere and enforce it.

In theory, the regional government can fine a town hall which has breached the rule up to £430,000.

The majority of complaints filed against local authorities are from a feminist activism group, whose name in Spanish means "Free Nipples!".

"This is a gender equality issue: Men could [go topless] and women couldn't," said Mariona Trabal, spokesperson for Mugrons Lliures (Free Nipples).

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

Spanish swimming pools aren't the only place toplessness is an issue.

Over the weekend, singer Rocío Saiz was draped in an LGBTQ flag during a pride event after she went on stage topless. She was also later questioned by police.

Ryan Fahey