In Mexico City (CDMX) they approved to grant menstrual leave up to 3 days for women and menstruating people. Congress considers that the pain can become disabling.
The initiative arose with the argument that colic or menstrual pains make it impossible for people to carry out their daily activities. For those who are diagnosed with primary and secondary disabling dysmenorrheathis new legislation gives leave with pay of 2 to 3 days, either in the public or private sector.
Also, It is prohibited to fire a worker or directly or indirectly coerce her to resign for reasons of gender or for being diagnosed with this condition..
What is dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea is constant, cramping, throbbing uterine pain caused by menstruation. This can last from 1 to 3 days and is one of the most common causes of menstrual disorders.
Its main symptoms include pelvic painwhich can extend to the back or lower back, colic, cramps, clots, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrheain most cases, which makes it incapacitating.
This condition affects women of reproductive age, and has an estimated incidence of 45% to 95%. In the reform they indicate that from 30 to 50% miss school or work at least one day during their cycle. However, those who do not “are affected in their concentration in the presence of pain, which causes poor performance and productivity.”
How to access the menstrual leave?
People must present a medical certificate proving the condition. This document must be issued by a gynecology specialist from an institution of the National Health System. The certificate must be valid for one year, after that time, a new assessment will have to be made.
In this regard, Deputy Alicia Medina Hernández stated that menstruating people go to work “even despite presenting severe pain” to avoid being fired. In addition, he mentioned that those who are in this situation They may fear being “judged or branded weak if they ask for help getting diagnosed and treated.”
It is urgent to stop normalizing the pain of menstruating people, who are forced to perform daily tasks, even with a physical condition that sometimes it disables them to develop physically and intellectually as on any other day.
Alicia Medina Hernández, deputy
In addition, to comment that aspects related to menstruation, “as well as the acute or chronic diseases that they can produce, must stop being a taboo subject and must be made visible.”
The initiative to grant paid leave of one day a year to women for mammography and papanicolaou exams. Men can also come to prostate exams.
When would the menstrual leave take effect?
This initiative of the CDMX would reform federal laws, for which the opinion was turned over to the Congress of the Union, so the deputies must ratify said reform.
Then, once it is discussed and approved, it will be published in the Official Journal of the Federation. So, from that moment, it will come into force and the menstrual leave can be requested.
In accordance with The country, Japan is a pioneer in this type of policies in favor of women. In 1947 it was established that it was the right of female workers to be absent from work due to menstruation. Also, other countries have taken similar measures, such as Taiwan, Indonesia, South Korea, and even Italy, which is also in the approval process.
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