LOCAL authorities are to provide more toilet facilities for females, according to Shanghai Women’s Federation.

It has been a long-time frustration for female residents that they are allocated the same number of stalls in public toilets as males despite needing more time. As a result long queues for the ladies’ loos in the workplace, shopping malls or tourist attractions are common.

Also, in many cases, women are the ones who take children to use the toilets, compounding the overcrowding problem.

According to the city’s new public toilets planning draft, which is still in process, the number of toilet stalls in women’s restrooms in major commercial, cultural and transportation hubs should be at least twice that of those in male facilities.

For other public places, such as hospitals and dining venues, the suggested ratio is at least 1.5:1, according to the plan.

The federation urges authorities to take consideration of gender and family issues when making policies.