Pärnu to Keep Ladies' Beach Without Strict Segregation
Pärnu's "ladies' beach" will stay, the City Government of the resort town has said in a letter to a national official, citing historical preservation reasons. But it will be marked to indicate that it is not segregated or exclusive.
The city said in its response to the Chancellor of Justice that it does not intend to completely abolish the section of strand, called the "Ladies Beach" on signs.
Chancellor of Justice Indrek Teder had said in October that the beach went against gender equality principles and blocked the public's freedom of movement. He suggested one solution would be to establish a similar gentlemen's beach that would be the private preserve of sunbathing men.
The city in last week's letter promised to adopt measures that draw people's attention to the fact that this ladies' beach is not off-limits for gentlemen - or through-traffic by male suitors from other social classes, who might presumably be drawn by a sign reading "Ladies Beach".
"At the same time, one cannot overlook the fact that the beach and the rules for its use have been shaped over time by the townspeople of Pärnu," the government said in its response. "The ladies' beach and its particularities are held in high regard by the tourists who visit Pärnu as well."
Kristopher Rikken