Gohar Rasheed thinks paid menstrual leaves should be encouraged in Pakistan

Actor shared his thoughts following Spain’s introduction of possible state-funded period leaves

Following the news of Spain possibly introducing paid menstrual leaves, actor Gohar Rasheed took to Instagram to urge the Pakistani government to do the same. The actor shared a news post reading, “Spain announces a three day paid menstrual leave for women,” writing, “This law should also be encouraged in Pakistan.”

Gohar’s post was re-shared on Twitter, where several women agreed with the actor’s stance, hoping for such a policy to be put into effect soon.

LOUDER !! pic.twitter.com/hl9jDVtE3u

— Dr Alishba | PTI 🇵🇰 (@dactar2b) May 21, 2022

God plis plis yes🙏🏻 https://t.co/M9Li2PfqAt

— 💜𝐸𝓊𝓅𝒽♡𝓇𝒾𝒶 ₇ 💜 (@Bitchwhat2do) May 22, 2022

Other women, however, were wary of such a change, explaining how such leaves would hurt a woman’s position in the job market, with several employers already harbouring a bias against female employees. 

Yahan pe to aurton ko hire nai krte araam se ke pregnant ho jayen gi to kaam nai hoga

This is a reach still 😂😂 i dont think we're even close to this point. https://t.co/lhA2p2fNls

— NonsenseBizness (@someonenawal) May 22, 2022

If this happens here (which is highly unlikely), employers will prefer male over female candidates when recruiting for their companies. https://t.co/826vMCWbEK

— Sharmeen Ghazal (@SG_SportsGirl) May 22, 2022

Spain's leftist coalition government on Tuesday approved a draft bill to reinforce abortion rights and make Spain the first country in Europe to offer state-funded paid leave for women who suffer from painful periods.

The minority Socialist-led government hopes to guarantee access to abortion across Spain and destigmatise menstrual health with the new bill.

"Today we send an international message of support to all women who are fighting for their sexual and reproductive rights," Equality Minister Irene Montero told Reuters. 

The Spanish government's move comes as thousands of abortion rights supporters rallied across the United States on Saturday, angered by the prospect that the Supreme Court may soon overturn the landmark Roe v Wade decision that legalised abortion nationwide half a century ago.