Karpagam Academy hosts India’s first National conference on menstrual hygiene

Karpagam Academy of Higher Education (Deemed to be University), Coimbatore, organised India’s first National Conference on “Menstrual Hygiene: Breaking Barriers, Building Awareness” at the F-Block Conference Hall on July 10.
The conference was organised by the Centre for Menstrual Hygiene Management in collaboration with Karupa Foundation Education & Research Centre, Mettupalayam, Sakshi, New Delhi, and Znap Empower, Coimbatore. Researchers, academicians, healthcare professionals, students and representatives of social organisations from across the country participated in the conference, which focused on menstrual health, awareness, sustainability and innovations in women’s healthcare.
Dr. A. Dharmaraj, NSS Coordinator, welcomed the gathering. Dr. R. Vasanthakumar, President of Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, inaugurated the conference, while Prof. S. Ravi, Vice-Chancellor, presided over the inaugural session.
Capt. Dr. K. P. Sridhar, Head of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research, outlined the objectives of the conference and released the conference souvenir.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. R. Sujatha, Senior SDG Consultant, Government of Tamil Nadu, stressed the importance of menstrual hygiene awareness and sustainable development. Dr. K. Mangayarkarasi, Assistant Professor and Head in-charge, Department of Women’s Studies, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, and A. Pavithra, Founder of Znap Empower, delivered special addresses highlighting the need for collective efforts to eliminate menstrual stigma and improve women’s health.
Dr. B. V. Pradeep, Registrar of Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, delivered the felicitation address, while Lt. Dr. S. Nithya, Activity Coordinator, Centre for Menstrual Hygiene Management, proposed the vote of thanks.
More than 100 research papers on menstrual hygiene, women’s health, sustainable development and healthcare innovations were presented during the conference, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from researchers and academicians from across India.