RULES – Already in place in South Korea, Japan, Zambia and Indonesia, menstrual leave could make its way into Europe. Spain is considering granting one to women suffering from very painful menstruation.
This measure is part of a bill “for the protection of sexual and reproductive rights” which will be sent to the Spanish executive for approval on Tuesday 17 May. According to El Paísthe text provides for the introduction of at least three days of sick leave per month, with the possibility of extending it to five days.
“It is important to clarify what painful menstruation is. We are not talking about mild discomfort, but about serious symptoms such as diarrhea, severe headaches and fever, explained Angela Rodriguez, Spanish Secretary of State for Equality, in the columns of the newspaper El Periodico. If someone has a disease with such symptoms, he is granted a temporary disability. It should be the same with menstruation.”
menstrual health
The implementation of this leave will not be the only measure discussed by Spanish parliamentarians next Tuesday. The text of the law speaks of “menstrual health” and specifies that “the stereotypes and myths about menstruation which still exist and which complicate the lives of women, will be combated”. For this, several other proposals will be discussed.
Among them, the abolition of VAT for certain feminine hygiene articles, free periodic protection in reintegration centers, prisons and, in the longer term, all public authorities. These products will be delivered to those who need them without any mediation and will be « eco-responsible and respectful of women’s health as much as possible ».
Beyond the theme of menstruation, the text of the law includes measures concerning reproduction. For example, it is proposed that 16-year-old minors can have recourse to abortion without the authorization of their legal guardians.
The fear of stigma
Real good idea? For these public policies to be useful, those affected by menstrual leave must feel free to use it. However, it could be the cause of stigma if women on menstrual leave are treated differently from their colleagues who do not take it.
The text of the law is not final, assured the Europa Press agency Thursday, May 12, Nadia Calviño, first vice-president of the Spanish government. Especially since some organizations, including the General Union of Workers (UGT), are worried about a possible “stigmatization” of women.
“This government believes in gender equality and is absolutely committed to it, and we will never adopt measures that could lead to the stigmatization of women,” reassured Nadia Calviño.
In France, menstrual leave is not yet a debate. Marginal, it is slowly being put in place in certain companies. Since January 2021, La Collective, a Montpellier cooperative, has offered its employees one day off per month in the event of painful periods. Paid leave without the need for a medical certificate. This initiative was also undertaken on March 8, 2022, International Women’s Rights Day, by Louis, a Toulouse start-up specializing in the manufacture of wooden furniture.
According to an Ifop poll carried out in March 2021 for 20 minutes68% of French women approve of the idea of generalized menstrual leave in all companies.
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