The Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru garnered a lot of appreciation for its progressive move of installing a diaper-changing station in the men’s washroom.
Ali Samhaan, a passenger from the Maldives, spotted the station at the Bengaluru airport and tweeted about it. He wrote, “saw this in Bangalore international airport men’s room,” tweeting along with a picture of the station.
Saw this in Bangalore International airport men's room.👍🏾 pic.twitter.com/YTiZmFbm0q
— 🇲🇻Ali Samhaan (@khamsyn) September 12, 2019
His post stirred a debate online on gender stereotypes.
“So what? Is that a task only for women? FYI men also do change baby’s diapers,” a user wrote in the comments section.
So what? Is that a task only for women? FYI men also do change baby’s diapers
— Hafsath Aleem 🇲🇻 (@Happittu) September 13, 2019
Men do change diapers and do house chores. There is nothing wrong in doing our house work. There is no rule book on this planet that says these are the jobs of a women. Parenting and household are to be shared equally. I may be wrong in in a patriarchal society, but I don’t care.
— Shyam Agasthya (@shyamagasthya) September 13, 2019
Breaking the stereotype
— ThatSimracingGuy (@jeetushenoy) September 13, 2019
Meanwhile, airport officials said that the diaper-changing station was introduced several years ago and many people use the facility daily.
“We’ve received big thumbs-up for the diaper-changing stations at both male and female restrooms at the Bengaluru airport. In a world where mums and dads share the responsibility of raising children, we believe that this is a must-have,” Bengaluru airport authorities said in a statement.
“In a world where an increasing number of mothers are in the workforce and an increasing number of fathers participate in child-rearing, we believe that this is a must-have!” The diaper-change station has been a feature of all washrooms at the airport for over five years, the spokesperson said.
Setting an example for many other airports and public places, the authorities at Kempagowda International Airport, Bengaluru have denounced the idea that changing diapers is a woman’s job only. The Logical Indian lauds the airport authority’s attempt to challenge pre-defined gender roles and work towards an inequitable society.
Also Read: Breastfeeding Away From Gaze: Uttar Pradesh Bus Stations To Have Babyfeeding Cubicles
