A car park in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, recently spent RMB70 million (~S$14.3 million) to create women-only parking spaces that are bigger than the usual parking lots.

According to The South China Morning Post (SCMP), the women-only parking spaces are supposed to improve the safety and convenience of female drivers.

The parking spots which are indicated by pink signs with a picture of a high heel right smack in the middle have triggered a series of complaints about sexism.

Women-only car parks also found in other parts of China

Similar parking lots can be found in Kunming in Yunnan province and Zhengzhou in Henan province.

The ones in Kunming have a more gender-neutral colour scheme.

Here are the different variations of such 'women-only' parking spots in China:

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Chen Jianguo, an associate professor of sociology at North China Electric Power University, was quoted by SCMP that the owners of such parking spaces in Kunming should consider renaming the larger space for novice drivers:

If it could be called a 'parking space for new driver,' the label of discrimination could be shrugged off.

Xia Xuemin, a researcher from the Public Policy Research Institute of Zhejiang University, was also opposed to the concept as bad drivers could be either men or women.

Netizens have mixed reactions

While some netizens say that it's sexist as it implies that women cannot drive well, others don't share the same sentiments.

Translation: I think this is pretty good. The parking lot is big and near (buildings), no idea why some female drivers are not happy.

Translation: I'm a female, but I don't think there's anything wrong with this? Larger parking spaces mean that it's easier to park, what's bad about that? Do some people think that if the space is too big, they can't show off their driving skills? Are you trying to park? Or trying to show off?

Translation: What's there to argue about? As long as women benefit, and there's no risk with the parking management, what's the big deal.

Translation: No need to call it women-only parking spots. It's much better to call it 'novice driver' spot. Women drive well too.

Translation: If it says that it's for a novice, I'm OK with it, I'm a new driver who appreciates the larger space anyway. But this says for 'women-only'. If I park here, not only am I saying that I'm weak, it also implies that women are weak. Forcing such 'kindness' unto us and not allowing us to have an opinion about it? Bye, Felicia.

Translation: This is a good idea for bad female drivers. But what about the bad male drivers? Can they park there too?

Women-only parking spots around the world

China is not the only country implementing women-only parking spaces.

Many parking lots in Germany and South Korea also have designated women's parking spaces, which have resulted in a similar debate over this arrangement.

The pavements for the women-only parking spaces in South Korea are even resurfaced with a "slightly spongy material" that makes them easier to walk on in high heels.

According to Washington Post, the German women-only parking spots were originally introduced to protect women from potentially being assaulted in dark parking lots.

Many German cities now have safer parking spaces for women that were well lit and located closer to the road or buildings.

Top image via Weibo