As things currently stand in Ireland, if you experience an early miscarriage (less than 24 weeks), you do not have the right to leave your workplace. If you work full-time and need to take time off, your options are: 1) tell the truth and hope your boss is sympathetic, 2) lie and fake another illness, or 3) take annual leave. Either take it.
Having to take these actions after experiencing such a potentially devastating health crisis just seems outdated in modern Ireland. The current lack of legislation is harmful and reminds of countries where women’s health is not respected and prioritized.
Approximately 14,000 women in Ireland experience an early miscarriage each year, which equates to up to one in four pregnant women. I am one of them, and I know firsthand how devastating this experience can be, both physically and mentally. I also understand how valuable it was to be honest with my then-employer.
paid holiday
This year, Labor called for legislation to give the government up to 20 days of paid leave for women who have had an early miscarriage, and up to 10 days of paid leave for employees who need to take time off from work for IVF or other reproductive treatment. The plan is to encourage the implementation of the law. -Health-related treatment.
The bill was passed in the Seanad on December 29, 2023 with support from the government. This was the only opposition bill to pass this last year, highlighting how compelling and important this bill is, regardless of politics.
This was the last time Bill Labor Party leader Ivana Bacic was introduced to the Seanad in May 2021 before being introduced to the Dail. Now, it’s time for the final push to ensure these urgent changes are implemented.
“We’ve seen an outpouring of support from women, and indeed couples, who have experienced early pregnancy loss and are struggling with fertility,” Ivana tells me over Zoom. “During the Senad debate, senators spoke very movingly about their experiences.”
“There is a huge tsunami of grief out there that cannot be put into words,” she continues. “Early pregnancy loss affects so many families, yet there is still silence and stigma around it. Women in particular are encouraged to communicate with friends and family when faced with infertility issues. I think we’re getting better at speaking up, but with this law in place, women will feel supported in the workplace, and that’s where the real silence lies. .”
break the silence
This law will go a long way toward normalizing discussions about pregnancy and fertility in the workplace. It allows for a structure for having potentially difficult conversations internally, and furthers the understanding that Ireland’s vast workforce is affected by menstruation, maternity, stillbirth, struggling to give birth, etc. You can do that. It will bring us closer to the realization that these experiences are not. It exists in a vacuum outside the workplace.
“Along with the introduction of the legislation, we will be running an ‘End the Silence’ campaign to encourage people to speak up about their experiences of early pregnancy and infertility treatment, so that people in these situations can feel a little more at ease. I want it to be like that,” Ivana explains. Being alone, I feel more supported. ”
The introduction of this legislation is not just about feeling supported in the workplace. It also means being protected. We are all well aware of the discrimination that women can face when they are of childbearing age, so it is no wonder some are wary of disclosing such personal information. . Without laws to protect their rights, women in these situations can feel exposed. The introduction of this legislation will ensure that help is provided when it is needed most.
female leader
One of the impetus for the original legislation, Ivana points to, was Jacinda Ardern’s introduction of paid miscarriage and infertility leave when she was New Zealand Prime Minister in 2021.
As a female leader, I asked Ivana if women are what we need to highlight issues like this at the government level. “We’ve seen women at the forefront of pushing for this kind of legislation. I recently had the pleasure of meeting Jacinda Ardren. She is a great role model. I told her how much I admire the way she has driven change for women. We need more women in Oireachtas, especially The focus is on specific issues that are truly relevant to women, such as early pregnancy loss, abortion rights, and female genital mutilation.”
So, will things change this year? “There could be legislation in the coming months,” Ivana said. “Minister O’Gorman has commissioned research into early pregnancy loss from the UCC, which will be the first thing that will feed into the debate. “The government is making positive noises, but there is still a long way to go in this administration. We recognize that we only have a year left. We hope this bill becomes law by the end of the year.”
Are there any other policy changes regarding women’s health that Ivana Baik is planning?
“The debate around this bill has also facilitated other discussions about women’s health issues such as endometriosis and menopause, which are very important issues.
“We want to continue to focus on women’s health issues, especially the under-spoken ones. We welcome state funding for IVF, we want to expand free contraception and we want to I would like to see further development of the sanitary product system. Period poverty is very real.”