Spain Becomes First European Country To Approve The Paid Menstrual Leave Bill

The Spanish Cabinet has approved a draft law to grant women workers paid menstrual leave. The country aims to introduce paid menstrual leave for women who face severe menstrual pain.

If Parliament also approves the bill, Spain would become the first European country to offer paid menstrual leave. Spanish Equality Minister Irene Montero said, "We are making a law that will ensure that women can live better.”

Menstrual leave bill

Women experiencing period pain will have the right to stay home and take paid leave from the office. A doctor consultation will be required to get paid menstrual leave.

The law would cost the Spanish government some €23.8 million per year. The bill is a part of broader reproductive health reform. The government also wants to make changes to Spain's abortion laws.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote on Twitter, "We are advancing feminism. Women should be able to decide freely about their lives.”

From bill to law

The draft bill will go to a public hearing before another reading in the Cabinet. Experts claim that the bill won't be presented for a vote in Parliament before the end of the year. Many politicians have expressed reservations about the bill.

Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón's Socialist minority coalition government needs enough support in the assembly to pass the law. However, Economy Minister Nadia Calvino said that the bill can affect women competing for jobs. It can hinder their progress in their career.

The Spanish government has made women's rights one of its political banners since it came to power.

Menstrual leave in other countries

Only a few countries offer menstrual leave, including Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Zambia and Indonesia. In 1947, Japan became the first country to grant women menstrual leave.

Senators in Italy debated legislation to grant women menstrual leave, but the Parliament rejected the idea in 2017.