Women’s party-list wants monthly ‘menstrual leave’ legislated

Stock image: Abdominal/Stomach pain

MANILA, Philippines — Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas on Wednesday filed a measure that would allow women to take a paid two-day “menstrual leave” per month.

The bill titled “Menstrual Leave Act” explained that women experience premenstrual or menstrual tension every month. House Bill No. 7758, however, exempts pregnant and menopausal women.

“There is a need to provide women with the flexibility and support they need to manage their reproductive health without the fear of negative consequences such as losing pay, falling behind in work, or facing disciplinary action. Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly being sought,” Brosas pointed out in her bill’s explanatory note.

Brosas said menstrual leaves had been introduced in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Spain.

She also said that on October 18, 2022, La Union Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David signed an order allowing female provincial government employees to work from home for two days during menstruation.

She added that a similar order was likewise implemented in the town of Tangalan in Aklan.

“As many local government units in the Philippines lead the implementation of such pro-women legislation, the national government must also pass a law to institutionalize menstrual leave with one hundred percent daily remuneration to all female employees in the private and public sectors,” Brosas said.

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KGA/abc