IGNOU, NCW Launch 3 Micro-Credential Courses on Women's Issues

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 17 August 2026

The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the National Commission for Women (NCW) have joined hands to introduce three micro-credential courses focusing on women’s issues, workplace safety and gender awareness. The initiative aims to strengthen learning, awareness and capacity building around issues affecting women in personal, social and professional spaces.

The two institutions signed an agreement on August 14, 2026, marking the beginning of a collaboration focused on developing practical and learner-oriented programs. The courses are designed to provide knowledge that can be applied in workplaces and everyday life while encouraging greater awareness of gender equality, women’s rights and workplace behavior.

The three programs introduced under the partnership are Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace (POSH), Women’s Leadership, Capacity Building & Workplace Behavior, and Gender Sensitization: Society and Culture. Together, the courses address workplace safety, leadership development and the social and cultural dimensions of gender.

Key Highlights:

• IGNOU and NCW launch three courses on POSH, women’s leadership and gender sensitization
• The partnership focuses on women’s empowerment and practical capacity building
• Future programs may cover legal literacy, cyber safety, mental health and safe migration

The POSH course aims to promote safer, more respectful workplaces that reduce the understanding of sexual harassment prevention and related responsibilities. The leadership program aims at developing leadership skills, work skills, participation in the workplace and appropriate workplace behavior. The gender sensitization program focuses on gender related issues and sensitizes the students based on social and cultural perspectives, and also seeks to raise awareness on gender equality.

The partnership also extends to other fields such as legal and constitutional awareness, empowerment of women, digital and cyber safety, leadership development, research and gender sensitization. Learning and capacity building is emphasized rather than awareness.

The programs should be practical and learner centered so as to give opportunity to the learner to use the knowledge in his / her work places and daily life, said NCW Chairperson Vijaya K. Rahatkar. IGNOU Vice Chancellor Uma Kanjilal also highlighted the importance of moving from awareness towards capacity building and behavioral change.

The partnership will be responsible for academic structure, curriculum development, digital hosting, learner support and certification of the programs at IGNOU. NCW will provide thematic content, priorities and support outreach for the courses.

The three micro-credential courses are the first programs to be offered under the IGNOU-NCW partnership. The partnership will also create opportunities for the creation of programs in the other spheres related to women's rights and safety such as prevention of domestic violence, legal literacy, cyber and artificial intelligence safety, leadership, mental health and safe migration.

The campaign is in continuation with IGNOU's academic thrust on women empowerment and gender studies and is a complement to NCW's drive to raise awareness on women rights and safety at the workplace. It is hoped that the partnership will generate additional opportunities for learners to acquire practical knowledge and increase their awareness of issues impacting women in the workplace and throughout society.