Pro-women lawmaker Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas has recently filed a measure that, if enacted, would grant all female employees in the private and public sectors a maximum of two days of fully paid menstrual leave per month.

Brosas filed House Bill (HB) No.7758, or the proposed Menstrual Leave Act.

The House minority bloc member stated in the explanatory note of her bill that, in the past few years, menstrual leave has become a progressive legislation introducing new reproductive rights in my countries worldwide, such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

"Last Feb. 16, 2023, Spain became the first European country to provide workers with three days paid menstrual leave a month with the option of extending it to five days," she noted.

Brosas said that some local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines have also begun to implement benefits or flexible arrangements for female employees that make their menstruation woes more manageable as it pertains to their work.

"As many [LGUs] in the Philippines lead the implementation of such pro-women legislation, the national government must also pass a law to institutionalize menstrual leave with 100 percent daily renumeration to all female employees in the private and public sectors," she said in her bill.

"In sum, there is a need to provide women with the flexibility and support they need to manage their reproductive health without the fear of negative consequence such as losing pay, falling behind in work, or facing disciplinary action. Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought," added Brosas.

March is women's month.