MITRA
Menopause research, policy & workplace training in Cyprus.
MITRA is a Cyprus-based non-profit founded in 2022. We ran MENOWISE-CY, a trilingual survey of menopause knowledge and attitudes among women in Cyprus aged 35+ (N=875), and presented the findings at the British Menopause Society conference. We train employers. We contribute to public policy. Women in Cyprus live more than three decades past menopause and the systems around them have not caught up. MITRA works on the systems.
875
women took part in MENOWISE-CY
findings presented at the British Menopause Society conference, June 2026
BMS 2026
MITRA recommendations reflected in the proposed menopause law
3
Erasmus+ partnership completed under MITRA's coordination
€60,000
Research
MENOWISE-CY is a trilingual survey of menopause knowledge, attitudes and information sources among women in the Republic of Cyprus aged 35 and over, conducted in Greek, English and Turkish. 875 women took part.
Before MENOWISE-CY there was no published evidence on what women in the Republic of Cyprus know about menopause, how they feel about it, or where they get their information.
Dr Vikram Talaulikar, Associate Specialist in Reproductive Medicine at University College London Hospitals, is Principal Investigator.
The findings were presented as an ePoster at the 35th Annual Scientific Conference of the British Menopause Society in June 2026. The abstract was accepted and is scheduled for publication in Post Reproductive Health in September 2026. The full paper is in preparation for peer-reviewed publication.
Policy
MITRA brings menopause evidence and women's experiences into public-policy discussions.
April 2024. MITRA gave oral evidence to the Parliamentary Committee on Health during its examination of a national menopause awareness campaign and access to hormone therapies through GeSY, alongside national health, medical and women's-rights bodies.
December 2025. MITRA took part in the public consultation on the proposed Support of Women During Menopause Law, held by MP Charalambos Theopemptou and the Green Party women's movement.
January 2026. Following the public consultation, MITRA submitted a written memorandum to the office of MP Charalambos Theopemptou in January 2026, before the proposed law was tabled in Parliament.
Three of MITRA's recommendations are reflected in the version subsequently tabled: explicit recognition of premature and iatrogenic menopause, a broader definition of menopause-related effects and reasonable workplace accommodations.
The Gender Mainstreaming Law of 2026 requires gender to be integrated into public-policy design and preparation of the state budget. It also strengthens the use of sex-disaggregated data in policy design and evaluation. MITRA asks where menopause and women's health in midlife appear in public planning and expenditure.
workplace training
Kathy Kattashi is a vocational trainer certified by Cyprus’s Human Resource Development Authority (HRDA/ΑνΑΔ). MITRA’s standard workplace sessions are commissioned directly. HRDA support may also be available through Single-Company Training Programmes (Μονοεπιχειρησιακά) or Multi-Company Training Programmes (Πολυεπιχειρησιακά). Multi-Company programmes are organised by a certified Vocational Training Centre (VTC/ΚΕΚ), with applications submitted to the relevant VTC through Ermis.
Projects and platform
PROJECTS
E+ Small-scale Partnership in Adult Education
Project number:
2023-2-CY01-KA210-ADU-000179096
MenoPower was a €60,000 Erasmus+ partnership coordinated by MITRA from 15 May 2024 to 14 May 2026, with the Social Innovation Fund in Lithuania and RESET in Cyprus.
The project produced four training modules with 30 international case studies, a digital course and a 148-item resource database. The MenoPower platform and core training materials are available in English, Greek and Lithuanian.
Training reached 35 employer and HR participants, and three MenoCollectives brought together 38 women. Two closing events drew 72 attendees.
MenoPower: Eliminating Gender Bias in the Workplace
Training modules
4
Resources in database
148
dissemination reach
75,897
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Foundation for the Management of European Lifelong Learning Programmes. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
platform
VERITY
VERITY is an evidence-based menopause information tool developed by MITRA through the CyEC Accelerator.
It is designed to provide clear, source-linked answers using recognised clinical and public-health guidance.
VERITY remains in development and is not yet publicly available. Greek-language development is a future aim dependent on funding, translation capacity and permissions.
Looking for menopause information?
MITRA does not provide medical diagnosis, treatment or individual clinical care.
For reliable, evidence-based information, start with the resources below. For personal medical advice, speak with your personal doctor or another qualified healthcare professional.
Menopause and health information
Women's Health Concern (WHC). The patient arm of the British Menopause Society. English
Visit Women’s Health ConcernNICE menopause information for the public. English
View NICE informationInternational Menopause Society patient information. Multiple languages
View patient information
Menopause at work
MenoPower workplace training materials and resource database.
Greek, English and Lithuanian
Explore the MenoPower resourcesEuropean Menopause and Andropause Society (EMAS).
Menopause and work resources, including recommendations, research, webinars, a workplace charter and self-assessment tools.
Menopause Information Pack for Organizations (MIPO).
Free, research-based resources for managers and organisations supporting menopause at work.
Links reviewed: September2026.
About MITRA
MITRA is a Cyprus non-profit company limited by guarantee, registered on 19 December 2022 (HE441851).
MITRA works across research, public education, workplace training, policy and community engagement on menopause, perimenopause and premature ovarian insufficiency.
Its founding objects commit MITRA to addressing discrimination, gender stereotypes, unequal access to healthcare, and the inclusion of marginalised women and LGBTQI+ people in sexual and reproductive health.
Menopause is where MITRA starts, not where the work ends. The wider frame is women’s healthy ageing, gender-responsive public policy and budgeting, and women’s inclusion in policy and system design.
History
December 2022
MITRA registered in Cyprus.
2023
MITRA began public-awareness work through national radio, Femme Fest and Human Library Cyprus.
April 2024
MITRA gave oral evidence to the Parliamentary Committee on Health.
May 2024 to May 2026
MITRA coordinated MenoPower.
2025
MITRA developed VERITY through the CyEC Accelerator.
December 2025 to January 2026
MITRA conducted MENOWISE-CY and contributed to consultation on the proposed menopause law.
January 2026
MITRA submitted written recommendations to the office of MP Charalambos Theopemptou.
June 2026
MENOWISE-CY findings were presented at the British Menopause Society conference.
Kathy Kattashi
Founder and Director
Kathy leads MITRA's research, workplace training and policy work. She coordinated MenoPower and led MITRA's development and delivery of MENOWISE-CY. She holds an MSc in HR and Organisational Behaviour and is an ΑνΑΔ-certified vocational trainer.
People
Dr Afxentis Afxentiou
Co-founder and Board Member
Afxentis co-founded MITRA with Kathy Kattashi and drafted the organisation's Articles of Association. He continues to contribute to MITRA's governance, strategic direction and project development.
Dr Vikram Talaulikar
Principal Investigator for MENOWISE-CY and research collaborator
Associate Specialist in Reproductive Medicine, University College London Hospitals.
WRITING AND COMMENTARY
MITRA writes on menopause evidence, women’s health, work, policy and healthy ageing.
Contact
Workplace, research, project and partnership enquiries