Spain’s parliament on Thursday approved the creation of sick leave for women suffering from nulliparous periods First countries in Europe to do so.
The Spanish Congress said in a statement that the new bill leaves women with the possibility of getting sick “in terms of disabling menstruation”. Thursday,
It was adopted by a vote of 185 to 154, with three abstentions. The vote is a victory for the socialist government of Pedro Sánchez, overcoming internal disagreements within his own party (Carmen Calvo, a socialist lawmaker who used to be vice president of the government under Sánchez’s previous cabinet, avoided by vote). The bill was supported by a broad left-wing coalition including the Socialist Party, the far-left Podemos and the two pro-Catalan independence parties, while the conservative Popular Party and the far-right Vox voted against the measure.
The bill is part of a wider legislation, which specifically aims to provide access to abortions in public hospitals, but also includes the free provision of menstrual products in schools and prisons.
On the same day, the Spanish Congress approved another law strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ rights – prompting celebrations from the Spanish Equality Minister, Irene Monteiro. Twitter “Historic Day for Advancing Feminist Rights.”
Gian Volpicelli contributed reporting.