Sexual and reproductive health care services

CUT provides comprehensive access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including information, education, awareness, and support, accessible free of charge to all students, through an integrated approach combining on-campus services, academic expertise, and community engagement.

At the institutional level, the Center of Student Development offers free and confidential counselling services to students, including support on issues related to sexual and reproductive health, relationships, and wellbeing. These services provide a safe and accessible environment for discussing sensitive topics and ensure timely, personalised support.

CUT actively promotes education, awareness, and culture-building through targeted initiatives, many of which are open to and directly address the university community, with strong student engagement:

  • The EUt+ “Intaboo” campaign (March- April 2025), a student-led initiative addressed to the university community, focused on menstrual health as a human right. The campaign included the free distribution of menstrual products across campus facilities, awareness materials, and participatory engagement through a petition to institutionalise the initiative.

CUT also plays a leading role in maternal and reproductive health education and awareness through the Department of Nursing and the Faculty of Health Sciences. Within the framework of the RESPECT European project, key 2025 actions included:

  • The “Preparation and Empowerment Programme for Motherhood” (January 2025, Limassol), offering structured education and support to expectant mothers, while being open to students and the wider community.
  • The Final Conference of the RESPECT project (March 2025), promoting best practices in respectful maternity care in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) standards and fostering collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, and society.

Further awareness-raising initiatives in 2025 include:

  • The Interdisciplinary Conference for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM (February 2025), promoting interdisciplinary dialogue, prevention, and education on reproductive rights and gender-based violence.
  • An awareness visit organised in collaboration with the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Domestic Violence (SPAVO) (March 2025), aimed at informing and raising awareness within the university community on domestic and gender-based violence, contributing to prevention, support, and education on issues directly linked to sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing. More info here.

CUT also supports health education and awareness on reproductive rights through:

CUT further supports digital and continuous learning through initiatives such as the FGM E-Campus and the Baby Buddy Cyprus platform, a free, multilingual and evidence-based digital service providing guidance, health information, and emotional support on pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenthood, contributing to health literacy both within the university community and at national level.

In parallel, CUT ensures institutional support for reproductive rights through:

  • The establishment of the first dedicated breastfeeding room in a public institution in Cyprus (since 2023).
  • The implementation of a formal Breastfeeding Policy, which ensures a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment for breastfeeding students and staff, while reinforcing reproductive rights and workplace inclusivity.

Through this integrated system- combining counselling services, student-led initiatives, academic expertise, research-driven actions, and institutional policies- CUT ensures comprehensive access to sexual and reproductive health information, education, and support, while fostering a culture of awareness, inclusion, and wellbeing across the university community.

Evidence