Albanian MP suggests paid period leave, free sanitary products

Socialist Party deputy and former deputy prime minister Erion Brace said Albanian women and girls should be entitled to state-paid leave during their periods, as well as benefitting from VAT-free period products.

The proposal was made during a speech at the Economy Committee amid discussions on the 2024 budget, and if accepted, would see Albania become the second country in Europe to take such a step.

“Is it possible for women and girls to recognise the period cycle as sick and a paid period? This should be paid for by the state budget…it is good that such an initiative, which I think does not cost much, but which must be calculated, should be included in the initiatives of the Ministry of Health,” he said.

He also mentioned the possibility of excluding sanitary products such as tampons and sanitary towels from value-added tax.

“It does not add anything to the state budget. I am not asking what is happening in Europe for the government to pay this once a month, but the minimum I am asking is to be exempt from value-added tax,” he said.

Menstrual leave is currently available in countries including Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, and South Korea. Spain became the first European country in 2023 to give women several days of menstrual leave a month if needed.

In other countries, women are forced to suffer in silence, take strong medications, or call in sick for other reasons, making excuses for the condition. Visiting public doctors for sick notes can also exacerbate waiting lists at a time when many systems are struggling.

While not all women suffer from significant pain during this time, up to a third suffer from dysmenorrhea which includes acute abdominal pain, stomach and digestion issues, headache and even fever. Others report feeling faint and even ‘passing out’ due to symptoms.

As for scrapping VAT for women’s hygienic products, Kenya, Mexico, Britain, and Namibia, along with around 14 others have all done so in recent years. In Scotland, New Zealand and Kenya, pads and tampons are offered in schools, for free.

(Alice Taylor | Euractiv.com)