Spanish lawmakers have given their final approval to a law granting paid medical leave to people suffering severe period pain. With that, Spain becomes the first European country to advance such legislation.

The law has passed with 185 votes in favour and 154 votes against. Equality Minister Irene Montero tweeted ahead of the vote: "It is a historic day for feminist progress." The law aims to break a taboo on the subject, the government said.

Menstrual leave is currently offered in only small numbers of countries across the globe. Among them are Japan, Indonesia, and Zambia.

With the new legislation, workers are allowed to take as much time off as they need when experiencing period pain. For employers, the state social security system picks up the tab for sick leave.

As with paid leave for other health reasons, a doctor must approve the temporary medical incapacity. The length of sick leave that a doctor will be allowed to grant has not been specified in law.

YA SON LEY. DIRECTAS AL BOE 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈💚#ConquistasFeministas pic.twitter.com/kph3phObPl

— Irene Montero (@IreneMontero) February 16, 2023

The measure has divided politicians and unions alike, with the UGT, one of Spain's largest trade unions, warning that it could stigmatise people who menstruate in the workplace and favour cisgender male recruitment.

The main opposition conservative party, the Popular Party (PP), also warned that the law risks "stigmatising" people who experience periods and having "negative consequences in the labour market" for them.

"Menstrual leave" is one of the key provisions in the legislation, which also includes expanded access to abortion in public hospitals. Due to conscientious objections by doctors, less than 15% of abortions in Spain are performed in such facilities.

Reversing a requirement imposed by a previous conservative government in 2015, the new law also allows minors aged 16 and 17 to have abortions without parental consent.

Spain is a European leader in women‘s rights and decriminalised abortion in 1985. In 2010, a law was passed allowing people to opt freely for abortion during the first 14 weeks of pregnancy in most cases.

The introduction of the Self-Determination Law, which allows transgender people to change their gender on documents more easily, has also increased the Spanish government's support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Big day for LGBTQ+ rights 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇪🇸⁰⁰Spain’s parliament JUST gave final approval to a historic bill that will:⁰⁰➡️ introduce self-ID for anyone aged 14+⁰➡️ ban conversion therapy⁰➡️ ban unnecessary surgeries on intersex babies⁰➡️ give equal parenting rights to lesbian couples

— Enrique Anarte (@enriqueanarte) February 16, 2023