RantCrush Top 5: April 6, 2017

Four women in Italy’s parliament have introduced a bill that would allow women who suffer from serious cramps and bloating during their period to receive three paid days off a month. If this bill passes it would be the first of its kind in the world. Women would have to present a doctor’s diagnosis of dysmenorrhea to qualify for the days off. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen, which can lead to vomiting or severe headaches.

The bill has stirred some debate online. Although some hail the proposal as progress for women, others worry that it could lead to workplace discrimination if employers find it too risky and expensive to hire a woman instead of a man. This could be a problem in Italy as it already has the lowest female workplace participation of all high-income economies.

Italy’s paid menstrual-leave bill is yet another example of something that sounds feminist but actually hurts women https://t.co/1a5m1SPw5R pic.twitter.com/eO7XbZLi3B

— Kat Murti (@KatMurti) March 31, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.