Susie O’Brien: Muslim women public swimming pools classes are a step forward

THERE’S nothing wrong with women’s-only swimming classes at public pools, writes Susie O’Brien.

THERE’S nothing wrong with women’s-only swimming classes at public pools.

Muslim women wearing burqas and head scarfs should have their needs accommodated at all pools — even those that are publicly funded.

They have the right to have a pool closed to men for a couple of hours a week so their desire for privacy and women’s-only swimming can be met.

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In Sydney this week, a new pool was opened in the outer western suburb of Auburn with privacy curtains so Muslim women can swim without being seen by other pool users.

The curtain is pulled for two hours each Sunday.

It’s caused absolute outrage, with many objecting to what they call “segregation”.

The way people have been reacting, you’d think it was a brick wall, not a floaty curtain.

There’s nothing wrong with women’s-only swimming classes at public pools, writes Susie O’Brien. Picture: iStock

You’d think men had been banned altogether, not just stopped from using one pool a week for two hours.

“Next will be Muslim beaches. Enough of this circus already,” said one.

“We have truly regressed back to the dark ages,” said another.

The reaction from people who aren’t affected and who have never swum at that pool anyway seem to see this as a case of unfair segregation and the rejection of males.

What rot.

It’s not discrimination because men are welcome at every other hour of the week except these

two hours in this one pool.

The law provides for exemptions to anti-discrimination laws “to provide people of a particular race with equal or improved access to facilities, services or opportunities to meet their special needs”.

Thankfully, it seems Victoria is miles ahead.

Here the issue was first addressed more than 15 years ago when the Migrant Information Centre did a report for the City of Banyule that established Muslim women did not have equal access to swimming facilities.

“I do respect the right of Muslim women to wear what they choose in the observance of their religious customs.” Picture: Stock image.

It established that there was unmet demand for designated women’s-only pool time.

Trial sessions were wildly popular, and now many pools across Melbourne put a few hours a week aside for women’s sessions.

In fact, Fawkner Leisure Centre offers both men’s only and women’s only sessions.

On Sundays, between 5pm and 7pm, there is a dress code including “swimming headscarves” for the “more modest women”.

At Casey Aquatic and Recreation Centre it’s 8.15pm on a Friday, and at Reservoir Leisure Centre, it’s Sunday nights between 6.15pm and 8pm.

It’s important that all members of our community are accommodated at public facilities, and not just the majority.

While I still find headscarves, hijabs and burquas to be oppressive and unsuited to the Australian way of life, I do respect the right of Muslim women to wear what they choose in the observance of their religious customs.

And I respect their right to swim and have fun at publicly-run swimming centres.