Spain’s government is set to pass legislation that would offer workers three days of menstrual leave per month.
The new law is part of a group of proposals that aim to address reproductive health, which would also allow people aged 16 and 17 to have an abortion without parental approval.
Additionally, the bill would provide more period products such as tampons and pads in educational institutions, while also getting rid of additional costs for these items.
Once the legislation is passed by the government, which is anticipated to happen in the next week, Spain will become the first Western nation to offer menstrual leave.
Currently, countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Zambia provide menstrual leave.
Period pain has historically been misunderstood, with a study of 43,000 women in the Netherlands showing that 85% experienced pain during their cycle.