University in China under fire for asking student to pull down pants to prove she was on her period
A university in China has come under fire after a student alleged that campus staff asked her to pull down her pants to verify she was menstruating before granting her medical leave.
The staff member reportedly said this was standard university policy.
According to the South China Morning Post, the student posted a video online on 15 May to express her concerns about the incident.
Allegedly asked to remove clothing to prove period
The student, who attends Gengdan Institute, affiliated with the Beijing University of Technology, had visited the campus clinic to request sick leave due to menstrual pain.
Source: Natee Meepian’s Images on Canva, for illustration purposes only
However, a staff member allegedly asked her to remove her pants to confirm she was on her period.
In the widely circulated clip, the student can be heard questioning the staff member: “So what you’re saying is, every woman on her period has to take off her pants and show you in order to get a medical leave note?”
The staff member replied:
Basically, yes. That’s the rule.
When the student requested written documentation of the policy, the staff member did not provide it and instead advised her to obtain certification from a hospital.
University says staff followed procedures
On 16 May, Gengdan Institute released a statement addressing the viral video, asserting that the footage circulating online was “distorted”.
The university maintained that the clinic staff had acted in line with internal protocols.
According to the statement, staff inquired about the student’s condition and proceeded with further diagnostic steps only after obtaining her consent.
The university also stressed that no instruments or physical contact were involved during the interaction.
It added that the school reserves the right to take legal action against the malicious spread of misinformation.
Policy intended to prevent abuse of sick leave
Separately, a staff member told Chinese media that the policy requiring verification of menstruation was implemented to prevent students from abusing medical leave.
The measure was reportedly introduced after some students made multiple sick leave requests in a single month, citing menstrual pain.
The student in the video later shared an update saying she had since visited a hospital and obtained the required documentation.
However, she said she would not remove the video, explaining that her aim was to push for a more reasonable and respectful policy regarding how female students apply for menstrual leave.
Also read: Woman who hit & killed motorcyclist on BKE says period cramps caused her to lose control of car
Woman who hit & killed motorcyclist on BKE says period cramps caused her to lose control of car
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from sitthiphong on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
