Spain was recently in news for becoming the first European country to formulate an official menstrual leave policy. According to the bill passed by the Spanish parliament, women in country will be allowed to avail three days of sick leave "in case of incapacitating menstruation”.

The move was lauded by women across the globe. However, it also provided ‘food for thought’ to the rest of the world about the way conversations around menstruation are handled.

The topic is certainly still taboo in most professional spheres irrespective of the geography. This has led to women having to suffer in silence while being incapacitated by ‘period pain’ and other medical challenges brought about by their ‘monthly cycle’.

Reports suggest that a majority of women—nearly 80%—experience period discomfort, with around 40% reporting severe pain. On the other hand, only a handful of countries across the world have policies in place to address the menstrual needs of female employees. A majority of nations do not mandate any kind of leave for their female workers. In case of severe menstruation discomfort, women now have the option to extend their right to take days off work. Even after experiencing pain and discomfort, suffer and work in silence.

But Spain’s move towards formulating menstrual leave policies is a shining beacon of hope. Similarly, there are a few other nations that have had such policies in place, albeit how weak or strong they may be. We can only hope that other nations take note and do the needful.

We bring to you seven countries that took the initiative to grant menstrual leave to women while they are on their menstruation.

INDONESIA

The transcontinental country of Indonesia has had a menstrual leave policy in place since the years 1948. The policy was renewed in 2003 under the labor act no. 13. The country’s policy provides women the right to take two days off from work every month are going through menstruation. The policy says that women shouldn’t work for the initial two days of their menstrual cycle. However, several organizations don’t follow the law in this country.

JAPAN

Japan was one of the first countries to put a menstrual leave policy in place. This Asian island country can be considered the pioneer in giving menstrual leaves to women. The menstrual leave policy in Japan is known as ‘Seiri Kyuka’. It started in 1947. The policy started because Japanese Labour Unions (JLU) demanded it in the year 1920. The policy says that women shouldn’t be questioned about why they took the leave for not working. 

Through the policy, women will get one day off during their menstruation. However, it is not followed by the companies very often. Just 0.9% of eligible female employees have taken menstruation leave, according to a survey that involved nearly 6,000 employers.

SOUTH KOREA

The menstrual leave law in South Korea came into being in the year 2001. The policy says that women shall get one day off from work during their menstruation every month. One plus point of this law is, if a woman doesn’t want to take leave then the company should pay a two-day extra salary for her.

But women in South Korea are not comfortable asking for menstrual leave because of the societal taboo surrounding conversations related to menstruation. A 2018 poll, according to an article in WION, showed that slightly more than 19 percent of women were taking time off, which represented a higher take-up than in Japan. The majority of women avoid taking time off for their menstruation because of the harsh and traditional work settings.

SPAIN

Spain recently became the first country in Europe to provide menstrual leaves to its womenfolf. The law was passed in the year 2023 and states that women will be gives three days' leave during their menstruation which can be extended to 5 days if required owing to medical conditions. This policy assures paid leaves. If a woman is taking leave, then a doctor's letter is necessary for it, and the public social security system shall cover the cost. According to the law, the new regulation will aid in dispelling the persistent misunderstandings and preconceptions about periods that negatively impact women's lives.

TAIWAN

In Taiwan, the menstrual leave policy is granted by The Gender Equality in Employment Law of Taiwan. The law was availed in 2002. The policy provides three days' leave for women with a half-salary. If it exceeds three days then it will be considered sick leave. But what makes Taiwan’s menstrual leave policy different is that it gives three-day leave per year in addition to sick leaves per year but not monthly. Menstrual leave was included in the general sick day allotment under the previous regulation.

VIETNAM

In the initial stage, when people started talking about menstruation openly, a 30-minute leave was granted to women employees during their periods. But later it was found that was not effective. In the year 2020, A law was passed that female employees will get three days of paid leave every month during their menstruation. Furthermore, organizations are required to compensate women more if they decide not to take absences.

ZAMBIA

The menstrual leave in Zambia is named as Mother’s Day. The policy provides women employees one day off from work, every month, during their menstruation. This policy got into action in the year 2015. If the leave is not granted by the employer, then women in Zambia can sue their employer. Through this policy, the female employee should not be asked for taking menstrual leave. In Zambia, the policy is applicable for women who do not have children.