Spain has become the first European country to introduce menstrual leave. “The fallout” of such a law in France “could be counterproductive”, analyzes the spokesperson for Dare to feminism, Friday on franceinfo.
“The intention” behind menstrual leave “is good”but “it’s a bad idea”, explains Fabienne El Khoury. The spokeswoman for the Osez le féminisme association returned to franceinfo on Friday February 17, on the decision of Spain, which voted for the establishment of menstrual leave, which women can benefit from in the event of painful periods. . This vote is a first in Europe, but even if Fabienne El Khoury “congratulations that these pains are recognized”it is an initiative whose “the fallout could be counterproductive”.
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“In fact, what this law says is that it is normal for some women to have intense pain and the solution is to stay at home and do nothing,” Fabienne El Khoury tip, “while we know that the majority of severe pain is due to an underlying disease.” Dare Feminism is concerned that medical research efforts on period pain will not be encouraged by the creation of menstrual leave.
“It’s up to society to take better care of women, to invest in research to end these pains and not just to say to women: ‘Okay, it’s okay, you can be doubled over, but stay your house’.”
Fabienne El Khoury, spokesperson for the associationat franceino
The association adds fear for employability, “this can increase the risk of discrimination in hiring”, but also on working conditions. “We think it can possibly increase certain types of harassment”SO “that one in three women is already harassed” at work, says Fabienne El Khoury.
“We can find other support solutions”
Menstrual leave is often seen as a “false good idea” by the women that sociologist Aline Boeuf interviewed. “Often they told me that they would not use it for fear of being discriminated against”explains the author of Living your menstrual cycle in the professional world. For the sociologist, menstrual leave is indeed a means of “recognize a reality”, that of the suffering of certain women during their periods. It can also be “the opportunity for those who did not dare to consult” a doctor for “not normalizing the pain”. Menstrual leave finally makes it possible to have a “overall framework” For “defend this type of measure in his company”.
But this proposal is not sufficient. “We can find other support solutions, complementary projects”, explains the sociologist. According to her, it is necessary “provide more information on menstrual health throughout schooling” For “no longer make menstruation a taboo”. The State also has financial levers, by deploying budgets “to fight against menstrual precariousness” For example. “We must not be content with symbols”warns the sociologist.