Period leave: Spain to be 1st Western country to offer benefit, what`s the rule in India - in Pics

In a unique move, Spain might become the first European nation, in fact Western country, to offer women three days off from work per month if they experience severe menstrual pain, reported The Telegraph. 

According to news reports, only a handful of countries like Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia and Zambia reportedly offer menstrual leave, nationally. In the United States, some companies provide menstrual leave. 

(Pic: Pixabay)

In India also, some companies provide menstrual leave. However there have been many contradictory views regarding menstrual leaves, even from women. While some women say it's essential, others have said it will lead to further discrimination in work place.  (Pic: Pixabay)

In July last year, an organisation of women teachers in Uttar Pradesh had started a campaign seeking three-day ‘period leave’ for the educators.

The Spanish Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society says that around one-third of women who menstruate suffer from severe pain during their periods. This is known as dysmenorrhea. The symptoms include acute abdominal pain, headaches, diarrhoea and fever. Several women suffer from pre-menstrual pain too.

Under revised policies, schools in Spain will reportedly provide sanitary pads to girls who need them.

(Pic: Pixabay)

For women from marginalised sections of society, sanitary pads and tampons will be given free of cost, as per news reports. A long-standing demand from Spanish women, the removal of VAT from the sale price of sanitary pads and tampons, is also likely to be met, says news reports.