Italy could be the first Western country to provide 'period leave' for women who suffer from painful periods.
A draft law is currently being discussed by Italy's parliament that would mean employers have to grant three days of monthly leave to those women who present a doctor's note stating they suffer from dysmenorrhea (extremely painful periods).
Similar laws are already in place in a number of Asian countries, but this is the first Western nation to be considering granting it.
While many have hailed the law as a positive step for women, some have highlighted the possibility of it worsening gender workplace inequality in Italy. Currently, less than 50 per cent of women in Italy are employed and only a third are employed full-time.
There are already laws in place regarding maternity leave and paid sick leave for women to look after children and, as a result, a female workforce is considered too expensive by many employers.
However, the law could be a welcome change for those women whose periods make it difficult to continue with work due to pain.
