Reportedly, women in Berlin can now swim topless in the city’s public pools if they choose to just like men. This seems as a step forward for gender equality in the German capital.
This measure introduced is a symptomatic of Germany’s love of Freikoerperkultur translated as ‘free body culture’ which has its roots in the late 19th century.
Berlin’s authorities took an action after a female swimmer said she was prevented from attending one of the city’s pools without covering her chest in December 2022. This woman had lodged a complaint with the city’s ombudsman’s office at the Senate Department for Justice, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination.
Later, the authorities agreed that the woman had been a victim of discrimination and informed that all the visitors to Berlin’s pools, including women and those who identify as non-binary are allowed to go topless.
Recently, the State Government of Berlin confirmed this move in a press release.
