Spain debates if five-day menstrual leave policy will help or hurt
Summary
A leak from the Spanish cabinet came out saying that they may allows anyone who is experiencing extreme menstrual cramps five days of leave. It is not clear whether that leave would be paid or not or if the hours would be flexible and then the worker would have to make up those hours yet. This topic since the leak has been one that the entire country has been talking about, and been debating. It's something that has sparked a lot of conversation, and many people disagree with it. Jose Luis Escriva, Spain's minister for inclusion migration and social security is saying that the contents in the leak are not becoming official and it was just a draft of the idea and that it is still "under discussion." People who suggested the bill are making it very clear what constitutes itself as a cramp. Angela Rodriguez, Spain's Secretary of state for equality says “It's important to be clear about what we mean by painful period, we're not talking about a slight discomfort, but about serious symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and bad headaches.” A handful of companies across Europe has adapted these period policies, as well as many other countries, including Japan and South Korea. One of Spain's major leaders panned the draft saying "it could lead to women facing workplace discrimination." Many other people involved in this case are saying that “If we men had periods, this leave would have come decades ago. That is the problem,” - Ãnigo Errejon. Many predict that this is long overdue, and once Spain puts the bill in motion, many other countries will follow in their footsteps.
My opinion
In my opinion, I think this is something that is long overdue. Women all over the world struggle with periods, and what comes along with them. Many men I think are unaware of how much things like cramps hurt. I do agree with Anigo Erreion when they said that if men had periods this act would of been enforced ages ago. Men are the dominant group in society and have been for years, if this happened to men I wouldn't doubt for a second that this solution would be available to them. Women's period pain is very often discredited because women have always been viewed as "emotional" and "irrational" by society for decades. I even know from personal experience that women are dismissed regarding periods almost daily. However, I think this is a step in the right direction. I think that the leave should be paid because the women's period pain is not their fault and it is unavoidable. Next, as I do think this is a step in the right direction there are many more things that still need changing. For example, I do personally think that period products should be free for women. Women do not choose to have their periods, believe me if we had the choice would opt out of it in a heartbeat. So therefore I think is a step in the right direction but we still have a long ways to go.
Title of article :
Spain debates if five-day menstrual leave policy will help or hurt
Date of article:
May 13th, 2022
Page number :
Page 1
Author of article:
AP reporter Joseph Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain. Frances D'Emilio in Rome
Link:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/spain-debates-if-five-day-menstrual-leave-policy-will-help-or-hurt-1.5900330
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