“Show Your Menstrual Blood?”: The Shocking Rule At A Beijing College That’s Gone Viral

A private university in Beijing has come under fire after a female student said she was forced to lower her trousers at a campus clinic to prove she was menstruating in order to be granted medical leave. The controversy, initially reported by the South China Morning Post, prompted enormous uproar on Chinese social media.

The incident occurred at the Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology, a private, independent undergraduate college affiliated with one of China's top public institutions. On May 15, the unnamed student shared a video online, claiming she was told to undress at the campus clinic to verify her menstrual condition as part of the sick leave process.

In the video, the student is heard asking, "So what you are saying is, every woman on her period has to take off her pants and show you to get a leave note?" A female clinic staff member responds, "Basically, yes. It is not my personal rule, it is a regulation." When the student asked for written proof of the policy, the staff member refused and instead advised her to visit a hospital to get formal certification.

University Defends Its Actions

A day later, on May 16, the Gengdan Institute issued a public statement defending the clinic staff, claiming they had followed "standard procedures." According to the university's statement: "The clinic staff followed proper protocols. They inquired about the student's physical condition and, after obtaining her consent, proceeded with further diagnosis. No instruments or physical examinations were used."

A staff member, surnamed Xu, further explained to CNR News that the controversial policy had been introduced earlier to prevent students from misusing sick leave. "Some students repeatedly claimed to be on their period to request sick leave. One girl even asked for leave four or five times in a single month," Xu stated. "So the school had its reasons for enforcing this policy."

Student Speaks Out Again

In a follow-up video, the student stated that she had since visited a hospital and obtained the necessary documentation. However, she continued to criticize the university's approach.

"I am simply asking for a reasonable and respectful policy on how women can request leave during their period," she said. "If the school truly has a written rule requiring female students to show menstrual blood to a female doctor in order to qualify for sick leave, I will delete my video. But if no such rule exists, I will not back down."

Public Backlash and Legal Concerns
The incident has triggered an uproar on Chinese social media platforms, with users calling the alleged practice "humiliating," "tyrannical," and "harassment." One commenter remarked sarcastically, "So, if I have diarrhoea, do I need to poop in front of the school doctor to get leave?"

Another netizen shared, "Taking sick leave four or five times a month for menstrual pain is completely reasonable. During my chronic fatigue phase, I had my period for 50 consecutive days."

As outrage mounts, calls are growing for schools to implement clear and respectful policies for menstrual-related sick leave. Legal experts have also weighed in.

Zhang Yongquan, a former prosecutor and now a partner at Grandall Law Firm, told the Post that the school's actions could be a clear violation of student privacy rights, specifically breaching Article 1011 of the Civil Code and Article 20 of the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests.

The university is now under pressure to review its policies and publicly address growing concerns over students' rights and dignity.