A college in Beijing is facing significant backlash following allegations that it required a student to provide proof of her menstrual status in order to be granted sick leave.
A video that has gained significant attention online this month captures a young woman questioning an older woman in what seems to be a clinic setting: “Does every menstruating girl have to take off their trousers and show you before they can get a sick note?”
The older woman responds affirmatively, saying, “Basically, yes.” “This constitutes a regulation within the school.”
The video was traced to a clinic at the Gengdan Institute University College, which subsequently issued a statement asserting that its staff adhered to established protocols. Social media users have condemned the encounter, labeling it a significant breach of privacy.
Neither the student nor the Gengdan Institute provided an immediate response to inquiries from BBC News.
Although the student’s video and the school’s statement seem to have been removed, screenshots and excerpts continue to circulate online, including through state media channels.
On May 16, the Gengdan Institute issued a statement asserting that the videos of the incident circulating online had been “distorted.” The institution indicated that it reserves the right to pursue legal action against individuals who “maliciously spread untrue videos.”
The statement clarified that the staff adhered to the appropriate protocols during the encounter, noting that they “initiated clinical work after obtaining the student’s consent” and refrained from using tools or performing a physical examination.
A video has surfaced showing a staff member remaining silent when a student requested written documentation regarding the school’s policy on checking students’ menstrual status. She then instructed the student to proceed to a hospital instead.
The incident has sparked a wave of outrage and sarcasm on social media directed at the school’s regulations.
“Experiencing a headache, one might wonder if drastic measures, such as opening the skull, could provide relief.” A social media user expressed their thoughts.
“One user on Weibo suggested, ‘Why not simply remove the sanitary pad and attach it to the sick note?'”
A representative from Gengdan Institute informed local media outlet Dute News that the institution might have implemented a policy requiring proof of menstruation to discourage students from fabricating menstrual claims to obtain sick notes.
However, that argument has failed to resonate with social media users.
Concerns have been raised regarding students potentially using their menstrual cycles as a recurring excuse throughout the month. A straightforward solution could be to implement a system for tracking these instances. “It’s not that complicated,” a user commented on Weibo.
The state media has entered the discussion.
Menstruation remains a deeply personal subject for women. An opinion piece from China National Radio asserts that such rules will create significant discomfort among students and could adversely affect their psychological well-being.
The Gengdan Institute has recently found itself among a growing number of tertiary institutions nationwide facing criticism for what observers describe as heavy-handed efforts to regulate student behavior.
In the previous year, several universities faced backlash for implementing bans on bed curtains in their dormitory facilities. Students frequently utilize curtains for privacy in shared accommodations; however, school officials have raised concerns, labeling them as a fire and safety risk.
During the widely celebrated May Day holiday season last year, several universities implemented stringent guidelines for students intending to travel. Among the measures implemented were restrictions on solo trips, road trips, and cycling excursions aimed at enhancing safety. This approach has drawn criticism from many who perceive it as an overreach by institutions into the personal lives of students.
A user on the social media platform Xiaohongshu, identifying as a student at Gengdan Institute, expressed that “the school’s clinic deserves all the criticism it’s getting.”
Reports from older students suggest that this issue has persisted for some time. “Some girls spoke up before, but nothing was done,” the individual stated.
It’s encouraging to see it trending this time around. Individuals chose to speak out.
