Spain follows Japan in rolling out paid menstrual leave, only 6 countries allow this privilege

Going to work when you are smarting from painful menstrual cramps is no walk in the park. For innumerable women (and people who were assigned female at birth), the prospect of commuting to work and taking on a huge workload on a day when they are feeling weak and morose from severe period pain, is as pleasant as walking on hot coals.

In the recent decade, there have been many movements to introduce period leaves in several countries. Spain became the first country in Europe to grant sick leave to employees suffering from menstrual cramps. The Spanish parliament passed the law on Thursday.

“The new bill creates the possibility for women to call in sick "in case of incapacitating menstruation," stated the Spanish Congress. The law will now allow workers experiencing period pain to take as much time off as they need, with the state social security system -- not employers -- picking up the tab for the sick leave. However, like all medical leaves, this leave will also require the doctor’s approval.


The bill is part of a broader law that aims to provide abortion services in public hospitals and supply free menstrual products in schools and prisons.

Menstrual leave is currently offered only in a small number of countries across the globe, such as Japan, Indonesia, and Zambia.

Japan
Japan, the law enabling menstrual leaves has been in effect for 70 years. However, the employees are not entitled to paid leaves, nor extra pay if they work during the menstrual period.

Zambia
In the African country of Zambia, the menstrual leave policy allows women to take a day off each month. If denied, the woman can sue her employer.

Indonesia
In Indonesia, female employees enjoy up to two days of menstrual leave per month.

South Korea
In South Korea, female employees are guaranteed additional pay if they do not avail themselves of menstrual leave.

Taiwan
In Taiwan, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment gives women three days of "menstrual leave" per year, which will not be calculated toward the 30 days of "common sick leave".

United States
The United States currently has no laws supporting paid menstrual leave. However, a 2023 survey showed that 75 per cent of women under the age of 45 would like such a law to come into place.

India
In India, paid menstrual leave remains an uphill battle. In 2018, the Parliament introduced the Menstruation Benefits Bill, proposing a leave of at least two days, but it never saw the light of day. However, some states, like Bihar and Kerala, offer menstrual leave. Some companies, like Zomato, Swiggy, and Dwight, allow female employees to take paid menstrual leave.