Delhi University’s IPCW, UNESCO launch country's first certificate course on menstrual health

In a first, Indraprastha College for Women, University of Delhi, in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Office for South Asia, has launched a certificate course on menstrual health.

According to a release, the course—titled “Empower Flow: A Certificate Course for Menstrual Health and Hygiene – Spotlight Red”—has been designed to address persistent stigma and knowledge gaps surrounding menstruation. It integrates health, education, and gender perspectives, and aims to equip students with knowledge, sensitivity, and leadership skills to foster informed conversations and promote menstrual equity. The initiative positions IPCW as the first educational institution in India to introduce a structured academic programme dedicated to menstrual health, the release stated.

The college principal, Professor Poonam Kumria, emphasised that a lack of menstrual awareness and access to resources continues to disrupt the education of many young women.

The release further noted that, with plans to expand outreach across colleges and communities nationwide, the initiative seeks to encourage informed dialogue and inclusive practices. The launch reflects a strong partnership between IPCW and UNESCO to advance gender-sensitive education and youth well-being, in line with broader goals of social inclusion and sustainable development.