Government introduces paid menstrual leave, but women are not taking it

Pulse Mix 18:36 - 06 June 2024

Here are 7 simple ways of easing period cramps and eradicating menstrual pain [Credit: John Hopkins Medicine]

Women in Spain have the right to leave for period pain, but regulatory restrictions and lack of awareness mean few people have taken advantage of it.

Spain was the first country in Europe to introduce paid menstrual leave a year ago, but data suggests that few employees have taken advantage of this option.

"As can be seen from the data, an avalanche of this type of temporary incapacity for work has not occurred, and its use has been stabilising month by month since its implementation," the ministry said.

Data from the Spanish ministry show that in the 11 months since the introduction of the law, menstrual leave has been used 1,559 times.

From June 1, 2023, when the law entered into force, to April 24, the last date for which data is available, the average leave taken was 3.03 days. On average, 4.75 people took leave per day.

The introduction of paid menstrual leave is part of a global trend [Pink Hope]

While some see paid menstrual leave as a step forward for women, others say it wasn't a good idea.

"I don't think it works, and I think that was to be expected," said Irene Aterido of RedCaps, a network of Spanish health professionals who focus on gender and environmental research.

Some, however, point out that introducing menstrual leave is a step forward. Mónica Ciria, a consultant on workplace issues, noted that leave is a good alternative to sick days, especially for women with painful periods.

The introduction of paid menstrual leave is part of a global trend that covers countries from Japan to Zambia. In Poland, menstrual leave depends on an individual decision of the company's management, and is not guaranteed on the same terms as vacation leave. Businesses that have introduced menstrual leave in the country are usually run by women.

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In Spain, then-Minister of Equal Opportunities Irene Montero introduced the bill as a way to solve a long-overlooked problem. "This is a historic day for feminist progress," she wrote on social media last year.

Despite differing opinions, paid menstrual leave policies in Spain have brought attention to the long-overlooked issue of period pain. The future will show whether other countries will decide on similar solutions.

This article was originally published on Onet Woman.