The number of lavatories in women's public toilets should be increased to three or five times more than those in men's toilets, according to revised construction regulations in Taiwan, according to a report from Taipei on Wednesday.

Under the new regulations, schools, stations and cinemas, where the toilets are often busy at certain periods, the ratio of toilets between men and women should be one to five.

In other public places such as offices, factories and dormitories where toilets are not necessarily required by people at the same time, the ratio should be one to three.

Newly built buildings designed for public use will have to meet this criteria before they will granted licenses for use.

Private buildings already constructed will not be affected by the regulations retroactively but should meet this requirement if they are applying for licenses for use other than originally intended.

The revision of the regulations was made after consulting with feminist groups to accommodate women's toilet needs, the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2006)