Women Share How Schools Policed Girls But Never Questioned Boys, Sparks Online Debate

In India, many women recall how their schools enforced rules not just on conduct, but on their very bodies. and the outfits or uniforms they used to wear. Young girls were scrutinized, shamed, and disciplined for how they dressed, wore their hair, or even carried themselves in front of the male students and staff.

There have always been stricter norms for girls in school, like the skirts should be below the knees, no fancy hairstyles, no makeup, no accessories, and the list goes on. The schools say that these are for the protection of girls, but the reality is something else.

telegraph

Recently, an X user pointed out that schoolgirls were asked to wear longer skirts so that a “good work environment” could be maintained for males, which triggered a discussion online

The absurdity of this statement resonated deeply with many women, who began recalling their own experiences.

Here is the post that went viral

School girls told to wear longer skirts to ‘create a good work environment for male staff’ pic.twitter.com/pDTew57dxO

— ⛥ (@lamarviiii) September 8, 2025

A woman named Tanvi Vij took to X and wrote,

“We were made to wear almost lehenga-like skirts to school because of this, we were still touched inappropriately. We were slut shamed by teachers for making one pony tail instead of two. 13-14 year old kids. If boys would try to talk to us, it was our fault. My friend once slapped a boy for pinching her breast, she got punished, her parents were called, it was a huge event, the boy got away scott free. Our vice principal used to check if we had waxed our arms & legs or gotten eyebrows done because ‘you come to school to attract boys?’ I hope I never see that woman again, she made school life hell for us,”

We were made to wear almost lehenga-like skirts to school because of this, we were still touched inappropriately. We were slut shamed by teachers for making one pony tail instead of two. 13-14 year old kids. If boys would try to talk to us, it was our fault. My friend once… https://t.co/tBPBLkMTmb

— Tanvi Vij (@tanvivij92) September 9, 2025

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Here is how other women reacted to this sensitive post

Several women recalled being pulled aside or scolded for wearing sleeveless dresses or clothes deemed “too modern.” What stung more than the punishment was the unspoken suggestion that their outfits had something to do with attracting attention. One woman shared how she was humiliated on a “colored clothes day” just for wearing a simple sleeveless top, an incident that stayed with her long after school ended.

When I was in Form 1, we weren’t allowed to remove our sweaters, no matter how hot it was, to avoid “distracting male teachers.” If caught without one in class, we’d be punished.
Kwanza sister akupate bila sweater https://t.co/I26w9d3VqB

— faith nzisa mwanza (@FaithNzisa) September 9, 2025

“No ties”

At my secondary school the girls couldn’t wear ties because it ‘drew to much attention to the chest area’ https://t.co/ZEHtiTf1T7

— k (@mightbekb) September 9, 2025

No tight leggings only salwars

my college had a department where the rule was that we could only wear salwars under kurtas (leggings not allowed) so that male patients aren’t distracted by the shape of our legs
Like why would anyone think that when they’re getting a cavity filling? https://t.co/Syf9LM6dd1

— masti nahi rukni chahiye (@youcandothisbis) September 9, 2025

This. I am almost 51 and I still remember exactly this from my school days. How the onus was on us not to show our knees, and yet, the harrassment went on. https://t.co/pbmznruCTU

— Arpita Das (she/her) (@arpitayodapress) September 9, 2025

Have begun to realize that every school had one of these to ruin education for us

— Ipsha Barooah (@rapperliftsbars) September 9, 2025

Some argued that the male staff and students should be educated and their behaviour should be checked

If your male staff can’t work because children have their legs out in a completely normal manner, frankly your male staff should be fired and probably have their hard drives checked. https://t.co/PCxNCmxOIb

— Lex always speaks facts (@jdog64948508) September 9, 2025

What are you saying… I don’t believe this at all. It’s a pathetic mindset I mean we’re they trying to teach the girls that it’s always their fault or what ?

— Ajay Kumar (@Arien2203) September 9, 2025

Sounds like the staff are the problem

— bunny (@d3adbunnii) September 8, 2025

The male’s gaze is the problem not the length of the skirt

— Sab Changa Si (सरफरोशी की तमन्ना अब दिल में है) (@philpjg) September 9, 2025

education news

Beyond outfits

Schools have also implemented invasive practices, such as mandatory period checks. In a particularly alarming incident in Maharashtra, girls aged 10 to 15 were forced to strip down to their undergarments to confirm menstruation, all without privacy or medical professionals present—a deeply traumatic breach reported to authorities under the POCSO Act.

These stories point to a culture of control that went far beyond discipline. Instead of focusing on education and empowerment, many schools taught girls that their bodies were problems to be managed. Experts argue that such practices reinforce gender inequality and chip away at self-confidence during a crucial stage of life.

Looking back, women say these experiences shaped how they viewed themselves and their freedom. What should have been safe spaces for learning often became places of surveillance and shame.

What are your thoughts on this? Is this inequality and discrimination fair? Let us know in the comments.