How does Spain’s new menstrual leave laws affect what’s happening in the UK?
Image by Vadim Artyukhin via Unsplash
By Lucy Podmore
Spain is the first country in Europe has passed a law which allows for menstrual leave. This means that women who experience impairing periods with symptoms such as extreme cramps, nausea and vomiting can have three days paid leave of absence with a doctor's note but it can be extended to five days. Not only that but the new law will provide free menstrual products in certain public institutions and state-funded health centres will also be able to supply hormonal contraceptive and the morning after pill for free. This is a step forward in the fight for female sexual and reproductive rights and against gender stereotypes.
Other countries such as Japan, North Korea and Indonesia have a menstrual leave in policy in place. Japan’s policy has been in place since 1947 however employers are not required to pay requested menstrual leave, North Korea has had it in place since 1953 and Indonesia since 2003. Although statistics suggest that not many women use it, a survey was taken in 2017 and 0.9% of women admitted to using the menstrual leave act in Japan and only 19.7% of women used the North Korean menstrual leave in 2017. There are still great inequalities in Japan and North Korea regarding work and the gender pay gap is extremely high which may put women off taking paid time off work.
Campaigning has begun in the UK for paid menstrual leave. Laura Coryton started petitioning to end tampon tax which has been in place in schools, colleges and hospitals across the UK. Pads and tampons are free available to all in Scotland. Laura believes the UK should take the same action that Spain has. She says that many women are afraid to go to the doctors for their immobilising pain on their periods as it is greatly normalised.
Period symptoms can be impairing to work and education which can affect quality, performance, concentration and overall performance and work ethic. 45% of Brits are in favour of the menstrual leave in the UK being introduces (52% of women and 39% men) according to YouGov.
Although paid leave for menstrual pain could be life changing for some women, some people have their doubts. Some believe this could be a step backwards for the UK regarding employment discrimination and gender stereotypes.
However, many women argue that menstrual leave is vital, some even argue there should be an option for working at home when menstruating. This gives employees comfort when being able to take hygiene breaks without impairing the work schedule, they also have access to hot water bottles and pain relief and paid menstrual leave will allow for rest when in pain or experiencing sickness without the worry of using up sick leave.