Spain’s parliament has passed a landmark sexual and reproductive health law that guarantees people as young as 16 the right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy in the nearest public hospital.  

Madrid, December 17 (RHC)-- Spain’s parliament has passed a landmark sexual and reproductive health law that guarantees people as young as 16 the right to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy in the nearest public hospital.  The bill also guarantees access to sex education, free contraceptives and menstrual hygiene products in high schools.  It also provides paid medical leave for people suffering from painful menstrual cramps. Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero, championed the legislation.

Irene Montero told reporters in Madrid: “We are restoring the right of women between the ages of 16 and 18 to decide about their own bodies.  And we also affirm that the state recognizes and respects the autonomy of women to decide that we do not doubt their decisions.”

In other news, in the United States, three Senate Republicans have blocked a bipartisan bill that sought to require basic workplace accommodations for pregnant people, including water bottles, a place to sit or extra bathroom breaks.  The bill passed with overwhelming support in the House.