Bengaluru: The Council of Sex Education and Parenthood International (CSEPI) has conferred the Emeritus title on veteran sexologist Dr Padmini Prasad in recognition of her decades-long contribution to sexual medicine, sexual and reproductive health, sex education and advocacy.
Dr Prasad, who holds MBBS, MD (Obstetrics and Gynaecology), F-CSEPI and DABS qualifications, is recognised as a pioneering woman sexologist from Karnataka. A Gold Medallist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, she underwent specialised training in sexology and has spent several decades working to bring sexual health into mainstream healthcare and public discourse.
Over three decades with CSEPI
Dr Padmini Prasad has been associated with CSEPI for more than three decades and has held several positions in the organisation, including Member, Fellow, Treasurer, Secretary and Vice-President.
Through lectures, workshops, panel discussions and professional training programmes, she has contributed to the advancement of sexual medicine and sex education. Her work, particularly in the area of female sexuality, has received recognition within the professional community.
She has advocated a scientific and compassionate approach to sexual health, encouraging individuals and couples to seek counselling and treatment for concerns that often remain unspoken because of social stigma and misinformation.
Leadership roles in professional bodies
Dr Padmini Prasad has held several leadership and professional positions at national and international organisations. She has served as Treasurer of SASSM, Committee Member and JSM Board Member of the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM), and as a member of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS).
She has also served as president of the Bengaluru OBG Society and the Family Planning Association of India, besides heading the Sexual Health Committee of KSOGA.
Author of 11 books
Apart from clinical practice, Dr Padmini Prasad has worked extensively in public health education through lectures, media interactions, television and radio programmes and awareness initiatives.
She has authored 11 books in Kannada and English on sexual and reproductive health and has been a faculty member and speaker at several national and international conferences in Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Sexual Medicine.
Her contributions have previously been recognised with the Golden Lamp Award, described as CSEPI’s highest honour, and the Excellence in Healthcare in Sexology Award.
Focus on women’s and rural health
Dr Prasad has also worked on women’s health awareness programmes in rural Karnataka. Through the Bharavase Charitable Foundation, founded with the tagline “Reaching the Unreached, Speaking the Unspoken,” she has supported initiatives aimed at taking health awareness to underserved communities.
According to the information shared by CSEPI, she was involved in initiatives that provided free HPV vaccination to women in Karnataka even before the Centre launched its broader HPV vaccination programme. She has also organised health camps in villages to promote awareness about gynaecological health.
CSEPI said the Emeritus recognition acknowledges Dr Prasad’s longstanding contribution to sexual medicine, sexual and reproductive health, education and advocacy.
CSEPI chairman Dr M.N. Thareja and SEXCON 2026 organising secretary Dr Jolly Arora congratulated Dr Padmini Prasad on the honour.
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