Italy may become the first country in Europe to offer menstrual leave, but that might not be a good thing

The lower house of Italy’s parliament has started debating a draft law that, if passed, forces companies to give women three days of menstrual leave per month for employees suffering painful periods.

If passed, Italy would become the first Western country to do so.

The Italian edition of Marie Clairecalled it “a standard-bearer of progress and social sustainability”.

However, it may not all be good news.

Italy is one of the worst countries in Europe for female participation in the workforce, with only 61 per cent of Italian women at work (against a 72 per cent European average).

Additionally, providing women with leave could spur companies into employing men over women.

It may also reinforce the negative and false stereotype that women are more emotional or weaker than men.

HT Washington Post

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