Spain Became the First European Country to Introduce Paid Menstrual Leave for Women Suffering from Severe Period Pain
Lawmakers in Spain have passed a historic law allowing women to take paid medical leave if they suffer from severe menstrual pain, making it the first European country to approve such legislation. The move has been hailed as a step forward for feminist progress in the country.
The new law permits workers experiencing severe period pain to take as much time off as they require. The sick leave will be funded by the state social security system, rather than the employers, and a doctor’s approval will be required to qualify for the leave. The law does not specify the length of the sick leave.
According to the Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society, approximately one-third of women who menstruate suffer from severe pain, which can negatively impact their ability to work. The measure has received both support and opposition, with some expressing concerns that it could stigmatize women in the workplace and have negative consequences for their employment.
Spain’s largest trade union, UGT, has warned that menstrual leave could lead to companies preferring to recruit men over women, while the main opposition conservative Popular Party (PP) has cautioned that the law risks stigmatizing women.
The menstrual leave measure is part of a broader legislation package that also includes provisions for increased access to abortion in public hospitals. Spain has a long history of progressive laws related to women’s rights, including decriminalizing abortion in 1985 and passing a law in 2010 allowing women to choose abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in most cases.
The new law also allows minors to have abortions without parental permission at the age of 16 and 17, reversing a requirement that was introduced by a previous conservative government in 2015. It also permits anyone above the age of 16 to change their registered gender legally.
The move has been widely celebrated as a significant step towards equality in Spain. Equality Minister Irene Montero took to Twitter to express her joy, tweeting “It is a historic day for feminist progress”.
Less than 15% of abortions performed in Spain currently take place in public hospitals, largely due to conscientious objections by doctors. The new law seeks to address this disparity and provide women with greater access to safe, legal abortion services.
Overall, the passing of this new law is seen as a significant win for women’s rights in Spain, and a positive step forward in the ongoing fight for gender equality.
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