"Historic day"

Spain passes law for “menstrual leave”

(Bild: thinkstockphotos.de)

The Spanish parliament passed two laws on Thursday that allow days off for menstrual cramps and a free choice of gender from the age of 16. The law on "menstrual leave", the only one of its kind in Europe to date, was passed with 185 votes in favor, 154 against and three abstentions. Another law, which allows a change of gender by means of a simple administrative declaration from the age of 16, was approved by 191 MPs, 60 voted against and 91 abstained.

According to the left-wing Spanish government, the regulation for a right to days off for women with severe menstrual pain, which does not yet exist in Europe, is intended to break a taboo. "This is a historic day for feminist progress," wrote the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, from the left-wing Podemos party on Twitter.

Law had been the subject of heated debate
The law demanded by the Podemos party on free gender choice for people aged 16 and over had been the subject of heated debate for months. It allows people to change their gender on identity documents by means of a simple official declaration - without having to provide medical proof, as was previously required.

Previously, a change was only possible for adults. With the new law, even 14 to 16-year-olds can choose their gender freely if their parents or legal guardians agree; 12 to 14-year-olds also need permission from a judge.

"A huge step forward"
According to Montero, the new law "depathologizes" trans people: "Today we have taken a huge step" by recognizing the "free choice of gender identity", she said. Spain is now one of the few countries in the world that allows gender self-determination through a simple declaration. In 2014, Denmark became the first country in Europe to grant citizens this right.