News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Labour calls for women-only swimming sessions

Church Street Councillor Aziz Toki has called on Westminster City Council to provide more women-only swimming sessions, including female life-guards, to meet the needs of local women residents.

Speaking at the Council meeting on 29th April, Councillor Toki said:

“I submitted a petition last year to increase swimming sessions by one hour for women at the Seymour Leisure Centre. I have since attempted to persuade other Leisure Centres to make available such sessions as there are literally hundreds of women wishing to take part in one-hour women only swimming sessions during the evening –usually around 9pm – to fit in with cultural and religious obligations and family routines.

“But in the last few months the General Manager at Seymour Leisure Centre has had to apologise twice for male lifeguards being used at the limited women only swimming sessions on Thursdays and Sundays. The impact on Muslim women users is significant – as their cultural traditions preclude them from dressing in front of men. The response by the manager has not helped – ‘we will endeavour to supply a female lifeguard, but it cannot be guaranteed’. Why not? Women only and men only sessions are held at Porchester Spa throughout the week– with same sex personnel – why should women only swimming be different?”

Councillor Toki argued that if the women cannot trust that a female lifeguard will be on duty it will prevent them from attending the sessions and this will add an unnecessary barrier to participation and prevent local people improving their health by increasing levels of exercise.