Italy already has a generous maternity leave policy, in which mothers must take a mandatory period of five months leave paid at 80% of her salary, but this seems to work against – rather than for – women in the workforce.

The Washington Post notes a report by ISTAT, Italy’s national bureau of statistics, which found that almost a quarter of pregnant women are fired either during or directly after their pregnancies, despite this being illegal.

The draft law for menstrual leave was put forward earlier this month by four female MPs, and could come into effect in a matter of months if approved.

Paid period pain leave is already in action in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Chinese province of Ningxia.

Images: iStock

Italy to become first European country to offer women paid menstrual leave