Dad's viral photo inspires Pampers to install 5,000 baby changing tables in men's bathrooms

Gender roles amongst newfound parents remain a highly contested subject. While it's now 2019, the burden of care still largely falls on women's shoulders - with them taking the bulk of maternity leave, and being responsible for day-to-day tasks.

In some rather heartening news, however, Pampers have announced they will install 5,000 baby changing tables in men's restrooms to encourage hands-on co-parenting.

This is in response to a rather infuriating image which has been doing the rounds on social media of late.

Donte Palmer found himself in a predicament where there were no baby changing tables available in the men's bathrooms, so he had to resort to uncomfortably changing his son while squatting against a wall. The ensuing photograph sparked the #SquatForChange movement, which lobbies for changing tables in both restrooms.

Now, according to a press release, Pampers are due to install thousands of baby changing tables in men's bathrooms as part of their Love the Change campaign. The aim is to focus on cities like Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, and Philadelphia, which lack changing tables in "high-need public locations."

Pampers have already garnered celebrity support for the initiative, with partner, John Legend, teaming up for the cause.

"Most dads have been there: you’re out with your kids & there's no place to change their diaper," he wrote on Instagram. "In honor of Father’s Day, @PampersUS is providing 5,000 Koala Kare changing tables in public restrooms. Finally, no more diaper duty on your lap!"

Andre Schulten - Vice President and General Manager of  Baby Care North America at Procter & Gamble - has since acknowledged the impact that a lack of changing tables can have on fathers, writing;

"We know that dads want to be able to bond with their children by taking them out and about, and that means the inevitable diaper-duty no matter where they are. In many instances today, instead of it being an easy, straightforward task it’s a moment that causes angst because the facilities needed are not always available. We are proud to announce our commitment to provide 5,000 changing tables for installation in public restrooms by 2021 to help address the inequality hands-on dads face when it comes to taking care of their babies."