Ladies' only parking space in German airport causes row

Frankfurt airport
Frankfurt airport



Frankfurt Airport has introduced women-only parking spaces. They are painted pink, are near the terminal (so that women don't have to walk too far), and are bigger than normal in order to make parking easier. The move has been branded sexist.

The airport is insisting that the spaces are intended to be safe and convenient for women, who don't have to walk alone through the car park late at night. The Local also reported that in Frankfurt it's actually a legal requirement to give over at least 5% of spaces specifically for women - for safety reasons. The law is intended to ensure women can park in well-lit areas, close to exits, and often with video surveillance. The Daily Mail reported that the pink colour-coding is to make the spaces 'easier to find'.

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However, the airport's interpretation of safety laws has lead to accusations of sexism. On Twitter, opinion is divided. There are men and women who think the assumption that women are bad at parking and need larger spaces is horribly sexist. There are also those who are horrified at the pink colour-coding.

Some people have argued that rather than being sexist towards women, these spaces actually discriminate against men, who have to put up with parking in smaller spaces and walking further. And many agree with the woman who wrote: "Women getting special privileges, denouncing them as sexist? Lol".

Regardless of your view on the sexism row, anyone planning to park at Frankfurt Airport might want to consider making straight for these spaces: they are bigger, which will make loading your bags onto a trolley easier, the video surveillance means your car will be safer while you're away, and they're handy for the terminal. In addition, there's nothing in the law to stop men parking in them.

But what do you think? Are these spaces a good idea, or are they sexist? Let us know in the comments.

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