A university in Beijing is facing widespread public criticism after a student claimed she was asked to expose herself to prove she was on her period in order to qualify for sick leave.
The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, has sparked intense debate over privacy and how schools handle student welfare in China.
The video, filmed inside what appears to be the Gengdan Institute’s on-campus clinic, shows a female student confronting a staff member. She questions whether girls must remove their trousers to prove they are menstruating before receiving a sick note. The staff member appears to confirm this practice, stating it is a school rule. The clip quickly spread across Chinese social media platforms, triggering outrage and disbelief.
Though the original post and the university’s statement have since been deleted, screenshots and clips continue to circulate. In its now-removed statement, Gengdan Institute claimed that staff followed procedure, asserting the student gave permission before any action was taken and that no physical examination occurred. The school also said the online video had been edited and suggested it might pursue legal action against what it described as malicious misrepresentation.
However, these explanations have not softened public reaction. Online users criticized the college’s approach as invasive and humiliating, with many accusing the school of prioritizing control over compassion. Some questioned why a student’s word wasn’t enough and suggested alternative methods, such as keeping records or requiring a signed note, rather than forcing such an uncomfortable situation.
One student who said she attends the college wrote on Xiaohongshu that the incident was not isolated. She claimed similar demands had been made in the past and that students who previously raised concerns were ignored. She expressed relief that the issue had finally gained broader attention.
The backlash isn’t limited to social media users. National broadcasters also weighed in, with China National Radio publishing an opinion piece stating that menstruation is a deeply personal matter and that rules like these could damage students’ mental health and trust in their schools.
This incident has added to growing frustration over how some Chinese universities regulate student behavior. In recent years, several schools have been criticized for what many consider excessive control. Some banned bed curtains in dorms, citing fire risks, while others imposed travel restrictions during holiday breaks, discouraging solo or cycling trips in the name of safety.
While Gengdan Institute defends its rules as necessary to prevent students from faking period-related illnesses, critics say the approach is outdated and disrespectful. For now, the university has not issued a follow-up statement, but the uproar continues as many call for clearer, fairer, and more respectful health policies across all educational institutions.