Sydney restaurant forced to remove urinals shaped like women's mouths

Controversy comes after debate in Canberra about sexism in Australian politics

A new bar and restaurant in Sydney has been forced to remove urinals shaped like women's mouths after complaints that they were offensive to women.

The Ananas Bar and Brasserie had used urinals designed by female Dutch artist Meike van Schijnde in the men's bathroom, but feminists have said they are another 'example of misogyny'.

A spokesperson for Ananas said the two urinals, which look like women's opened, red-coloured lips, were: 'supposed to be playful', adding 'We sincerely apologise if they have caused offence.'

The urinals' design was picked up after Sydney Morning Herald restaurant critic, Terry Durack, described them in the introduction of his review of the eaterie.

Anne Summers, an Australian feminist commentator, said the toilets were 'asking men to put their d---- in these mouths as urinals.'

She added the the concept was 'pretty challenging and confronting.'

This controversy comes during an ongoing debate in Canberra over sexism in Australian politics.

Julia Gillard, the country's prime minister, has been accused of 'setting back the cause of women decades by using sexism as a shield against criticisms of her performance' after she made a speech criticising the leader of the opposition Tony Abbott which went viral on the internet.

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