A college in Beijing has found itself at the centre of public fury after it allegedly asked a student to prove she was on her period to qualify for sick leave. A viral video, filmed inside what appears to be a clinic and posted to social media this month, shows a young woman asking an older woman: "Does every menstruating girl have to take off their trousers and show you before they can get a sick note?" "Basically yes," the older woman replies. "This is a school rule." Local media identified the video's location as a clinic at the Gengdan Institute university college, which later said in a statement that its staff had "followed protocol". But social media users have decried the encounter as a serious invasion of privacy. Neither the student nor Gengdan Institute immediately responded to BBC News' requests for comment. Both the student's video and the school's statement appear to have been taken down, though screenshots and snippets have been recirculated online, including by state media. In its statement dated 16 May, Gengdan Institute reportedly said the videos of the incident circulating online had been "distorted" - and that the institution had the right to pursue legal action against those who "maliciously spread untrue videos". The statement also said that the staff had followed the proper procedure during the encounter, such as "initiating clinical work after getting the student's permission", and did not use tools or conduct a physical examination. In the video, the staff member did not reply when the student asked for written proof of the school regulation to check students' menstrual status. She subsequently asked the student to go to a hospital instead. On social media, the incident has triggered an outpouring of anger and sarcasm towards the school's rules. "My head hurts, should I open my skull and call it a day?" wrote one social media user. "Let's just take the sanitary pad out and paste it on the sick note," another Weibo said. A staff member at Gengdan Institute told local outlet Dute News that the school may have created the rule about proving menstruation in order to deter students from faking periods to get sick notes. But that argument has rung hollow among social media users. "If they're worried about students using their periods as an excuse several times a month, why not simply make a record of it? It's not that complicated," one person wrote on Weibo. State media has also waded into the debate. "Menstruation is already an intimate topic for women. Rules like this will make students feel very uncomfortable, and even negatively impact students' psychological wellbeing," reads an opinion piece from China National Radio. Gengdan Institute now joins a list of tertiary institutions across the country that have come under fire for what many see as overbearing and ham-fisted attempts at controlling their students. Last year, some universities were criticised for banning the use of bed curtains in their dormitories. The curtains are often used by students for privacy in shared rooms, but school authorities said they were a fire and safety hazard. Additionally, during the popular May Day holiday season last year, some universities issued strict guidelines for students who had planned to travel. These included avoiding solo trips, road trips, or cycling trips for safety - which many saw as the institutions overstepping their authority in students' private lives. On social media site Xiaohongshu, a user claiming to be a student at Gengdan Institute said "the school's clinic deserves all the criticism it's getting". "I heard from some older students that this kind of thing has been going on for a while. Some girls spoke up before, but nothing was done," the user wrote. "I'm glad it made the trending topics this time. People didn't stay silent."
China student says college made her 'take off trousers' for period leave
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Beijing College Faces Backlash Over Controversial Period Leave Policy"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A college in Beijing is facing significant backlash after reports emerged that it required a student to demonstrate her menstrual status to obtain sick leave. This controversy erupted following a viral video in which a young woman questioned a clinic staff member about the necessity of physically removing her trousers to receive a sick note. The staff member confirmed that this practice was indeed a school rule, prompting outrage on social media. Critics have deemed this requirement a severe invasion of privacy, with many users expressing their disbelief and anger over such a humiliating process. Local media reports identified the institution involved as the Gengdan Institute, which later stated that its personnel acted in accordance with established protocols. However, both the video and the college's official statement have since been removed from social media, although screenshots and snippets continue to circulate, fueling the controversy further.
In response to the uproar, Gengdan Institute claimed that the circulating videos were distorted and suggested the possibility of legal action against those spreading what it described as untrue information. The college defended its actions by stating that the clinic staff only proceeded after obtaining the student's consent and did not conduct any physical examinations. However, the incident has intensified discussions about the broader implications of such rules on students' privacy and mental health. Social media users have criticized the institution's approach and questioned the necessity of such invasive measures to prevent students from feigning illness. The incident has also drawn parallels to previous criticisms levied against other universities in China, which have faced scrutiny for their intrusive regulations regarding student behavior and privacy. The controversy highlights a growing dissatisfaction among students regarding institutional overreach in personal matters, suggesting a potential shift in how such policies may be viewed in the future.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The incident involving a Beijing college student has ignited significant public outrage, primarily due to perceived violations of privacy and dignity regarding menstrual health. The viral video depicting a student questioning a staff member about the requirement to "take off trousers" to obtain a sick note has raised critical concerns about institutional policies and societal attitudes towards menstruation.
Public Reaction and Societal Implications
The response on social media has been overwhelmingly negative, with users expressing anger and sarcasm towards the college's regulations. This reflects a broader societal frustration with how menstruation is often treated as a taboo subject. The reactions suggest a demand for a reevaluation of how educational institutions handle health-related issues, particularly those affecting women. The incident has prompted discussions about women's rights, bodily autonomy, and the need for privacy in health matters.
Institutional Response and Narrative Control
In response to the backlash, the Gengdan Institute has defended its actions by stating that staff followed protocol and that the videos circulating online had been distorted. This defensive stance indicates an attempt to regain control of the narrative and mitigate damage to the institution's reputation. However, their lack of transparency and the absence of a clear explanation for such invasive procedures may further alienate the student body and the public.
Trustworthiness and Manipulative Elements
The reliability of the report hinges largely on the student’s initial video and the subsequent statements from the college. While the college claims adherence to protocol, the nature of the interaction raises questions about the appropriateness of such requirements. The narrative could be seen as manipulative if it serves to distract from broader systemic issues regarding women's health rights and institutional accountability.
Comparative Context and Potential Connections
When compared to other recent news stories that address women's health and rights, this incident could be part of a larger trend of increased scrutiny over how institutions handle sensitive health matters. It may connect to ongoing discussions about women’s rights in various societies, emphasizing a growing awareness and push for change.
Economic and Political Ramifications
While the immediate impact may not directly affect stock markets, the incident could have broader implications for the education sector in China. It may influence public perception of educational institutions and lead to calls for reforms. Politically, this incident could draw attention to the need for policy changes regarding women's health rights in China.
Target Audience and Community Support
The narrative resonates particularly with women and feminist groups advocating for bodily autonomy and privacy. The incident provides a platform for discussions about the rights of menstruators and the need for more humane and respectful treatment in educational settings.
Global Power Dynamics and Current Affairs
Although this incident primarily concerns local issues, it reflects a global conversation about women's rights and health, particularly in patriarchal societies. The attention it garners could influence international perspectives on women's issues in China, especially amid other ongoing human rights discussions.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Reporting
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was employed in crafting this article. However, AI tools could potentially be used to analyze social media sentiment or to aggregate public responses to the incident. If AI were involved, it might have shaped the focus on specific phrases or reactions that amplify the emotional impact of the story.
Through careful analysis, it’s evident that this situation raises significant concerns regarding privacy, institutional protocol, and societal attitudes towards menstruation. The public response indicates a desire for change, and the incident provides a crucial opportunity for dialogue about women’s rights and health privacy.