An NGO aimed at fighting sexual inequality has called on authorities to scrap the "embarrassing procedures" women must go through during the civil service selection process.

In an open letter to three government departments on Monday, the Beijing Yirenping Center says female candidates currently must endure an intrusive gynecological examination and are questioned about their menstrual cycles.

"We believe that it's unnecessary to include complicated genital examinations for civil service employment, especially for women," said Yang Zhanqing, head of the organization's branch in Zhengzhou, capital of Central China's Henan province.

The request to change the procedure was addressed to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Civil Service, which are both responsible for the recruitment process, and the Ministry of Health.

Regulations on full-body physical examinations of civil service candidates were issued in 2005 and included genital checks for men and women. Candidates found to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV or syphilis, can be disqualified from the application process, according to the rules.

"It was disgusting," said Liang Hehuan, who went through the examination in January after applying for a post at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She spoke on the condition of using an alias.

"I remember lining up with many other women before the examination at a public hospital," said the 22-year-old Beijing university student. "I remember there was lots of pain."

She said she was told to fill in a form that asked about the date of her first menstruation and her menstrual cycle.

"I felt so odd answering those questions. What does my period have to do with my work abilities?" she said. "Is someone whose period starts on the first day of the month more competitive than one whose period starts on the 10th?

"The gynecological exam was thorough. I had to take off my clothes, time and time again, and people were able to peek inside to see what is happening because the cubicles were not totally enclosed," she said.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security declined to comment on the letter on Tuesday, and calls by China Daily to the State Administration of Civil Service went unanswered.

Ke Qianting, an associate professor at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou who specializes in gender studies, said many women feel uncomfortable or believe that their privacy has been violated by such physical examinations.

"I think it's meaningful if the government could simplify the physical examinations of female civil servant candidates and make them more humane," Ke said.

Li Ying, a lawyer in Beijing, agreed and added: "The government has not explained the science behind the detailed physical examination for female civil servant candidates.

"Given that it's mandatory, most women chose not to complain or challenge the requirements," she said. "If a female candidate's health condition will not influence her work performance or her colleagues, then such examination procedures should be ruled out."

However, Wu Mingjiang, deputy director of the Chinese Medical Association, said that people should not overreact about the rules for hiring female public servants.

"Just like a traffic police officer cannot be color blind, the government has its reasons to set specific rules to select recruits," he said.