In brief
A viral video has sparked significant public outrage against Gengdan Institute in Beijing, as a student claims she was asked to prove her menstruation by removing her trousers to receive sick leave. The incident, deemed deeply intrusive, has raised questions about privacy and institutional control in Chinese universities, echoing similar critiques of strict school regulations.
A Beijing college is at the center of a storm of public outrage following allegations that it requested a student to provide proof of menstruation in order to qualify for sick leave. In a viral video shared on social media, the young woman confronts a staff member at what appears to be the university clinic, asking if all menstruating girls must undress to obtain a sick note. The older woman responds affirmatively, stating, "Basically yes. This is a school rule."Identified as Gengdan Institute, the university later asserted that its personnel was adhering to school protocols. However, many social media users have denounced the incident as an invasive violation of privacy. The student and the college have not responded publicly to queries regarding the situation, despite requests from various news outlets.Both the student’s video and the institution's response have since been removed, though fragments of the footage and screenshots persist online, having been circulated by state media. In an official statement released on May 16, Gengdan Institute claimed that the widely-shared videos had been "distorted" and hinted at legal action against individuals disseminating "maliciously untrue videos." They insisted that staff members followed correct procedures and stated, "the staff did not use any tools or conduct a physical examination during the conversation."Following the incident, social media platforms have been flooded with disdain and scathing remarks regarding the school’s policies. "My head hurts, should I open my skull and call it a day?" one user sarcastically quipped, while another suggested they could simply attach a sanitary pad to the sick note. Criticism has also been reflected in media commentary, with an opinion piece by China National Radio asserting that such rules make students uncomfortable and could adversely affect their mental health.One Gengdan Institute staff member provided insight to local media, suggesting that the rule was intended to prevent students from falsely claiming menstruation to obtain sick leave. However, many online commenters found this reasoning unconvincing, arguing it would be simpler to maintain records of sick leave requests rather than subject students to invasive examinations.This incident adds to a growing list of criticisms faced by Chinese universities for strict regulations that some view as heavy-handed attempts to manage student behavior. Just last year, various institutions were reprimanded for enforcing unnecessary rules, such as banning bed curtains in dorms, which are often utilized for privacy, and imposing restrictive travel guidelines during popular holiday periods.On the social media platform Xiaohongshu, a user identifying as a Gengdan Institute student expressed gratitude that the incident gained attention, noting, "I’m glad it made the trending topics this time. People didn't stay silent." This recent scenario underscores a pressing need for dialogue about students' rights, privacy, and the extent of authority held by educational institutions in China.
