Menstrual leave is being proposed in the Philippines. Here's why critics are wrong to say it's a policy for the privileged.

Photo credit: Vera Files

Imagine being at work on a day when your period hits hard: excruciating cramps, nausea, and fatigue all combine to drain your energy. Yet you feel compelled to soldier on because calling in sick is frowned upon. This is the harsh reality for countless Filipinas who have no safety valve to ease what is ultimately a basic human health concern.

For many, the idea of a “menstrual leave” policy has long been considered radical or even unnecessary. Critics dismiss it as “just another privilege” or a luxury only afforded to those in certain jobs. But what if menstrual leave is not about taking extra time off for convenience, but about acknowledging a biological reality that, for far too long, has been stigmatized and ignored?

Let’s explore the concept of menstrual leave, explain what it really means, and discuss the recent efforts led by Gabriela Women’s Party in proposing a Bill that would grant essential paid leave for those who menstruate. Ultimately, we argue that menstrual leave is not a lavish perk.  It is a matter of gender justice, health, and dignity.

Periods Are a Health Issue Not a Taboo

Menstruation is a natural process, yet the pain and inconvenience it sometimes brings are all too real. Many Filipinas suffer from conditions like dysmenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and other menstrual disorders. These medical realities can significantly affect productivity, mental health, and overall well-being.

Despite this, cultural taboos continue to surround menstruation. Periods are often whispered about, hidden, and treated as a source of shame rather than as a normal bodily process. Because of these taboos, many workplaces ignore the health needs of those who menstruate. Instead of accommodating a genuine health issue, employees are expected to work through pain, a situation that ultimately undermines their dignity and productivity.

What Is Menstrual Leave?

Menstrual leave refers to a policy that grants individuals who menstruate a set number of paid days off per month to manage the physical and emotional symptoms that may make working difficult or unsafe on certain days. This isn’t “monthly vacation” time. It’s a medical leave, much like sick leave, designed to ensure that people are not forced to choose between their health and their livelihood.

Globally, several countries have already implemented menstrual leave policies. For example, Japan introduced menstrual leave as far back as 1947, and nations such as South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, and even Spain have provided similar accommodations. These policies recognize that enduring severe menstrual pain or discomfort can be akin to working while injured or unwell.

Gabriela Women’s Party’s Menstrual Leave Bill

In the Philippines, the conversation around menstrual leave has gained momentum in recent years thanks to persistent advocacy by feminist groups. Notably, Gabriela Women’s Party has authored a menstrual leave bill that directly addresses these issues. House Bill 7758 (as proposed by Gabriela) aims to grant individuals who menstruate 2 days of paid menstrual leave per month.

To be clear, the bill is not about providing an “extra” perk. It is about formalizing a right that many have been denied. By acknowledging the unique biological challenges that come with menstruation, the bill underscores the State’s commitment to upholding the dignity and well-being of its workers. Moreover, it aligns with the principles enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and international treaties such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The proposed legislation seeks not only to relieve the physical burden but also to challenge centuries of menstrual stigma. By institutionalizing menstrual leave, Gabriela Women’s Party envisions a workplace and a society that recognizes and respects the health needs of all individuals who menstruate.

Debunking the “Too Much Privilege” Backlash

Critics often argue that menstrual leave is a “privilege” that gives women an undue advantage or that it will hurt productivity. Let’s dissect these arguments:

1. “It’s unfair to men”
   This critique fails to acknowledge that menstrual leave is a response to a unique health burden. Men do not experience the biological effects of menstruation. Recognizing differences does not mean creating inequality—it means accommodating real, documented disparities in health.

2. “It will hurt productivity or burden businesses”
   Research suggests that when workers are in pain or discomfort, their productivity is already compromised. Allowing adequate leave can help employees recover, subsequently improving overall productivity, morale, and even employee retention. A worker forced to toil through significant pain is likely to be less efficient and more prone to errors or accidents.

3. “Women will abuse the leave”
   This argument rests on a distrust of women and often ignores the legitimate health issues many face. Just as sick leave policies are not abused in workplaces across the globe, menstrual leave should be viewed as a necessary accommodation rather than a loophole for shirking responsibilities.

By addressing these concerns head-on, we can see that menstrual leave is not about a “special privilege” but about ensuring that workplaces respect the health and dignity of all employees.

Who Benefits from Menstrual Leave?

Menstrual leave doesn’t exclusively benefit a privileged few. It benefits everyone who menstruates. This policy would especially help:

• Blue-collar workers in industries where physically demanding work can worsen menstrual discomfort.

• Domestic workers and service industry employees who often lack adequate sick leave.

• Students and young women who might otherwise fall behind in their studies or work due to persistent menstrual pain.

• Trans men and non-binary people who also menstruate and face additional stigma.

By formalizing a policy that supports all workers who menstruate, the bill can help alleviate not only physical pain but also the psychological stress of hiding or suppressing an essential part of one’s being.

A Step Toward Justice

Menstrual leave is emblematic of a broader struggle for justice in the workplace. When we normalize the discomfort and stigma surrounding menstruation, we tacitly accept that women must bear certain burdens silently. By contrast, instituting menstrual leave is a transformative act. It declares that all bodies deserve care and accommodation.

Gabriela Women’s Party’s Menstrual Leave Bill challenges the status quo by shifting the conversation from shame to recognition. It forces us to reckon with the fact that workplaces and labor laws have historically failed to address the full spectrum of women’s health issues. In doing so, it lays the groundwork for a more equitable society where women’s needs are not sidelined but integrated into everyday policy.

Why We Must Push for It, Now

The urgency of passing a menstrual leave bill cannot be understated. In a country where labor rights are continually under threat and where many workers face precarious employment conditions, acknowledging and addressing menstrual health is critical. It is a step toward:

• Improving public health outcomes: Allowing for rest during particularly painful periods can reduce long-term health complications.

• Reducing workplace stigma: When menstrual health is recognized formally, the associated shame and silence can be dismantled.

• Promoting gender equality: It signals that society values the well-being of everyone, regardless of gender.

Every time someone dismisses menstrual leave as “too much,” they overlook the everyday realities that many Filipinas face. It is not about an extra day off, It is about reclaiming dignity and asserting the right to be healthy while working.

It’s Time for Policy That Cares

Menstrual leave is not a fancy benefit. It is a vital human rights issue. The proposed bill by Gabriela Women’s Party (House Bill 7758) represents a concrete step toward recognizing the biological realities of menstruation. It challenges the outdated notsion that periods are a burden women must silently endure for the sake of productivity.

As long as policymakers refuse to listen, every day remains another in which countless Filipinas suffer in silence. But every conversation, every advocacy post, every shared story reminds us that change is possible.

If you see or hear someone dismiss menstrual leave as “too much privilege,” remember that having the freedom to be yourself without constant pain, shame, or fear of reprisal is a right, not a privilege. That is what true justice means and it is worth fighting for.

Let’s keep asking, let’s keep pushing, and until the voices of those who need protection are heard in law, we will not stop advocating for our rights.