Amid societal expectations for women to work through the pain, women’s rights advocates intensify their calls to pass the legislation of House Bill (H.B.) No. 7758 or the ‘Menstrual Leave Act,’ seeking to support women’s reproductive health without financial repercussions. 

The bill was filed by Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas on March 22, 2023, proposing to grant paid menstrual leave of a maximum of two days per month to all female employees in private and public sectors.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Brosas cited cases from economic areas where some female workers are forced to endure long hours without break, leading to reproductive health implications. 

“Meron tayong mga cases sa economic province zone area kung saan sinusumbong sa’tin ‘yung mga kalagayan, so ang nangyari nag-pool na ‘yung blood dun sa kaniyang [genital] dahil dire-diretso sa trabaho. Hindi naman sila pinagpapahinga, so kapag hindi natin sila binigyan ng retrieve [relief] katulad ng menstrual leave, kawawa naman ‘yung mga kababaihan natin. Kumbaga nagsa-suffer sila sa ganoong kalagayan,” Brosas shared. 

The congresswoman also emphasized that some women with health conditions often experience severe menstrual symptoms, such as dizziness and fainting, which impact their ability to work effectively. 

She underscored the importance of policies, like the Menstrual Leave Act in supporting women’s health and productivity in the workplace.

“With pay po ang gusto natin dahil mas magiging kapaki-pakinabang ang mga kababaihan natin bilang manggagawa kung sila ay mabibigyan ng sapat na welfare [at] kalusugan kaya sinasabi namin na importante na magkaroon ng mga ganitong sitwasyon para sa mga kababaihan natin,” she asserted.

According to Brosas, the Menstrual Leave Bill was filed and read but has since seen no progress, highlighting the lack of legislative priority on workers' rights.

She also stressed that low wages, poor working conditions, and inaccessible healthcare remain major problems for female employees, highlighting the need for fair pay and better support.

“Ang problema talaga ng mga kababaihang manggagawa natin ay sahod. Nakabubuhay na sahod ‘yung kailangan nila. In fact, hanggang ngayon, ‘yung minimum wage natin ay napakababa. Second, sabi natin magandang kondisyon para sa ating manggagawa kasi hanggang ngayon ‘yun pa rin naman ang mga nirereklamo ng ating manggagawa. Kulang na nga sila sa sahod, hindi pa maganda ‘yung kalagayan nila sa pagawaan,” he stressed. 

In addition, the Congresswoman emphasized the lack of accessibility of health care in the country, leading to further problems to women’s health.

In the Philippines, a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in 2022 shows that women earn 18.4 percent less than men in digital jobs.

The current minimum wage in the National Capital Region (NCR) is P645 per day for non-agricultural workers, while P608 per day for agricultural workers. These rates were implemented under Wage Order No. NCR-25, which took effect last July 2024, following the P35 increase from the previous wage levels.

Meanwhile, FEU Teaching Assistant Stella Ann Begonia stressed that the bill could create a more inclusive workplace by recognizing women employees who experience severe menstrual symptoms, such as those who have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). 

“The implementation of a paid menstrual leave bill would greatly benefit women’s health and workplace productivity. For those with conditions like PCOS, menstruation can be especially challenging due to irregular cycles, prolonged periods, and intense cramps,” she asserted.

She also shared her experience as someone with PCOS, describing its symptoms as an irregular menstruation cycle, and how it leads to severe cramps that can last for many days.

According to Begonia, the continuous discussion of menstrual health in the workplace is necessary as many women silently endure the discomfort, attempting to meet work expectations instead of prioritizing their well-being. 

The teaching assistant also shared her experience as a teacher, a role that demands energy, enthusiasm, and constant engagement with her students.

“As a teacher, my role requires energy, enthusiasm, and constant engagement with my students. However, when I experience menstrual cramps, I make sure to inform them that my usual energetic teaching style may be affected. While I remain committed to delivering quality lessons, the physical discomfort can sometimes limit my ability to be as dynamic as I normally am,” she shared.

Begonia asserted that the implementation of the bill acknowledges the needs of female employees, increasing job satisfaction and morale. It also allows them to focus further on their tasks rather than struggling to work on their tasks while experiencing menstruation symptoms. 

In 2023, the Tamaraw-made short film ‘Rowena: The Red Ranger,’ which bagged second best film in Likhang Mulat: The FEU Film Movements, also echoed the same call of H.B. No. 7758 on labor rights.

In a separate interview, Rowena director Ayessa Tan shared her inspiration in making a film that highlights the frustrations of working-class women, particularly service workers.

“I’ve decided to create Rowena as a woman who fights customers with her rage toward the system, tackling themes such as workers' rights as well. I wanted to bring out the feeling of the whirlwind of emotions a woman experiences before and during her period which led to a comedic yet impactful film,” she explained.

The director recalled instances wherein she was forced to participate in a Physical Education class despite severe menstrual cramps as her instructor in high school did not recognize it a valid excuse. She also shared that she became reliant on pain relievers but stopped later on due to health concerns. 

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, consuming too many pain relievers may lead to possible health concerns, including stomach issues, ulcers, kidney problems, and increased blood pressure.

In highlighting the challenges faced by female employees, Tan shared that her film shed light on the struggles of labor rights and the realities of womanhood. 

“I hope the viewers of the film Rowena: The Red Ranger or even just people who came across the House Bill 7758 implement equitable forces and regulations that would give fairness for women. This film is initially made as a movement to call out businesses, lawmakers, and entrepreneurs to enforce this law in pursuing women’s rights,” she said.

Furthermore, Brosas criticized the Congress for neglecting labor-related bills, emphasizing that many proposals, including wage increases, remain stalled. 

Begonia urges policy makers and employers to recognize menstrual health as a legitimate workplace concern that deserves attention and support as it is not just a minor discomfort but it can be physically exhausting, emotionally draining, and mentally overwhelming. 

“I encourage policymakers to take action and employers to lead with empathy. Supporting women in this way is not just the right thing to do but it is an investment in a stronger and more sustainable future for businesses and society as a whole,” she stated.

The GABRIELA representative emphasized the importance of continuous discourses on the issue about labor and women’s rights, urging women to organize, speak up about their struggles, and take collective action to improve their conditions.

- With reports from Eunhice Corpuz
(Illustration by Alexandra Lim/FEU Advocate)