Controversy Erupts Over University's Invasive Period Leave Policy

The Gengdan Institute in Beijing faces backlash after a student's viral video revealed a shocking policy requiring proof of menstruation for sick leave. Critics are condemning the invasion of privacy and questioning the need for such regulations, illustrating broader concerns about student autonomy at Chinese universities.

A university in Beijing has ignited public outrage after allegedly enforcing a policy that requires students to prove they are menstruating in order to qualify for period leave. A video that has gone viral on social media features a young woman questioning an older staff member about the need to undress for a sick note. "Does every menstruating girl have to take off their trousers and show you before they can get a sick note?" she asks, to which the staff member responds, "Basically yes."

The incident reportedly took place at the Gengdan Institute, which later released a statement asserting that the staff had adhered to established protocols during the encounter. According to local reports, the institution expressed that the videos circulating online had been misrepresented and hinted at possible legal action against those spreading what they termed "untrue" narratives.

Despite Gengdan Institute's denials, the video and the school's official response have since been removed from public view but continue to circulate in other forms across various platforms, including state media outlets. Critics have taken to social media to voice their discontent, with some sarcastically suggesting absurd ways to prove menstruation, such as attaching sanitary pads to sick notes.

A staff member from the Gengdan Institute suggested that the rule might have been implemented to minimize students feigning menstruation to obtain sick notes. However, many social media users rejected this explanation, asserting that record-keeping could more effectively address concerns about dishonest claims.

The public debate surrounding this incident has intensified, with a piece from China National Radio affirming that imposing such invasive rules makes students uncomfortable and may harm their psychological well-being. This controversy adds to a growing list of criticisms against Chinese universities for their authoritarian control over student life; for instance, some institutions last year were condemned for prohibiting bed curtains in dorm rooms and imposing strict travel guidelines during holidays.

One student claiming to attend Gengdan Institute shared on Xiaohongshu that such practices had persisted in the school's clinic for some time with previous complaints yielding no changes. The widespread outrage signifies a shift in student attitudes, with many no longer willing to remain silent against perceived injustices in their universities.