Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Spain has approved a law that will allow women to take paid days off work for "menstrual leave" as part of a larger package of sexual and reproductive protections that passed in the nation's Parliament this week.
The measure, which passed by a vote of 185-154 on Thursday, allows women to call in sick during cases of "incapacitating menstruation," the Spanish Congress said in a statement.
Spain becomes the first nation in Europe's history to grant female workers the right to a three-day "menstrual" leave of absence, which can be extended to five days if period symptoms reach a severe level known as dysmenorrhea, which includes headaches, cramping, fever, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and vomiting.
Under the new law, employees are required to provide a doctor's note to verify the illness, while the country's social security system will compensate workers for time missed from the job.
The new law coincided with the passage of another provision to allow 16-year-olds to get an abortion without parental consent, and the right to declare any gender on government-issued ID cards, which was a huge win for LGBTQ+ rights. The national assembly also paved the way for free feminine hygiene products to be available in schools and jails.
The law's passage was seen in the country as a major victory for the Socialist government of Pedro Sánchez, which overcame fierce divisions and infighting during weeks of debate on expanding the rights of female workers.
Proponents say...
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