Spain set to offer three-day ‘menstrual leave’ for women every month

Over recent years, people who experience periods have worked tirelessly to combat the stigma that surrounds that ‘time of the month’.

Whether it’s raising awareness ofwhat constitutes a ‘normal’ period or whether it’srenaming feminine hygiene aisles, changes are being made to how we treat, and talk about, menstruation.

And now Spain has come under the spotlight after the country’s government has acknowledged the impact that severe period pain can have on people’s lives.

In fact, Spain has become the first European country to approve a law that gives women suffering from severe period pain ‘menstrual leave’.

According to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, the move, which is capped at three days per month, could be approved by the government as early as next week.

Speaking toEl Periódico, secretary of state for equality Angela Rodriquez said: “If someone has an illness, with severe symptoms also occurring with periods such as debilitating abdominal pain or headaches, a temporary disability is granted.

“This means the same should happen with menstruation — allowing a woman with a very painful period to stay at home.”

While Spain is leading the way over in Europe, it’s not the first country to announce a plan of a similar nature.

Across the globe, countries including Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Zambia all provide menstrual leave.

In addition to menstrual leave, Spain is also set to tackle the issue of period poverty and inequality.

A new law being drawn up would make it a requirement for schools to provide sanitary pads and provide marginalised women with period products.

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Elsewhere, supermarkets would be made to remove taxes from the sale of tampons and pads.

“One in four women cannot choose the feminine hygiene products she wants to buy for economic reasons,” Angela added.

“That’s why we propose for them to be dispensed free of charge in educational and social centres.”

The Spanish government is also planning to remove the law that requires any 16 or 17 year old seeking an abortion to receive parental permission.

While England is yet to introduce its own menstrual leave, back in 2020 the issue of period poverty made its way into the political agenda.

After research found that nearly half of teenage girls believed that period poverty held back their education, the Department for Education was praised formaking tampons, sanitary pads and other period products freely available at all state schools and colleges in England.

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