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Intrusive pelvic exam for girl civil servants
By China Youth Daily |
March 21, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
WHILE undergoing a physical examination, a senior college student was asked to state when her menstrual periods began and to describe the cycle.
The detailed gynecological examination made her feel "nauseated and hurt." But she had to grin and bear it, for she was competing for one of the world's most competitive jobs: civil servants.
"What does this have to do with a civil servant's job? Is someone whose menstruation starts on the first day of the month more competent than one whose period starts on the tenth?" she wondered.
But most undergoing the exam simply complied.
The examiners are not being inappropriately curious. They are just following prescribed procedures.
According to draft standards for physical examinations for civil servants, candidates suffering gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, or AIDS would be automatically disqualified.
Menstrual history would also be part of the examination for women, "with the main focus on the age of first menstruation, the menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding, the duration, last menstruation, vaginal discharge, painful menstruation, etc."
Yang Zhanqing, an expert from Beijing Yirenping Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public welfare, charity and justice, said such a detailed gynecological examination has nothing to do with routinely carrying out the duties of a civil servant.
They focus attention on venereal diseases and malignant tumors, but such disease in no way interferes with the functioning of a civil servant in her official capacity, nor would normal interaction among colleagues result in spreading diseases.
This Monday the organization wrote to relevant state departments suggesting that such unnecessary tests be scrapped.
A spokesman from the organization said that detailed examination of women's genitalia for non-medical purposes is not only humiliating, but also intimidates them from seeking employment.
Ke Qianting, an expert from Zhongshan University, points out that civil servants' tests should set an example for and promote gender equality in the workplace.
The detailed gynecological examination made her feel "nauseated and hurt." But she had to grin and bear it, for she was competing for one of the world's most competitive jobs: civil servants.
"What does this have to do with a civil servant's job? Is someone whose menstruation starts on the first day of the month more competent than one whose period starts on the tenth?" she wondered.
But most undergoing the exam simply complied.
The examiners are not being inappropriately curious. They are just following prescribed procedures.
According to draft standards for physical examinations for civil servants, candidates suffering gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, or AIDS would be automatically disqualified.
Menstrual history would also be part of the examination for women, "with the main focus on the age of first menstruation, the menstrual cycle, the amount of bleeding, the duration, last menstruation, vaginal discharge, painful menstruation, etc."
Yang Zhanqing, an expert from Beijing Yirenping Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to public welfare, charity and justice, said such a detailed gynecological examination has nothing to do with routinely carrying out the duties of a civil servant.
They focus attention on venereal diseases and malignant tumors, but such disease in no way interferes with the functioning of a civil servant in her official capacity, nor would normal interaction among colleagues result in spreading diseases.
This Monday the organization wrote to relevant state departments suggesting that such unnecessary tests be scrapped.
A spokesman from the organization said that detailed examination of women's genitalia for non-medical purposes is not only humiliating, but also intimidates them from seeking employment.
Ke Qianting, an expert from Zhongshan University, points out that civil servants' tests should set an example for and promote gender equality in the workplace.
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