Every month, every woman in Zambia is legally entitled to a day off work.Referred to as “Mothers Day,” the law does not spell out the reason for the provision, but everyone knows what it is for: periods. Despite its name, the law applies to all women regardless of whether they have children. Women can take their day at any point in the month, and do not need to provide a medical explanation to their employer. Any employer who denies a female employee this right can be prosecuted.
So is this an example for the rest of the world to follow? Is “menstrual leave” a sign of progress, or simply patriarchy 2.0?