In the news

• As Women’s Day (8th March) approaches, the spotlight turns to women scientists throughout history who shattered glass ceilings and left indelible marks on the scientific landscape.
• Their stories advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and equality within the realm of science.

 Gender Disparity in Indian Science

• Underrepresentation in Leadership: The Indian Academy of Sciences, founded by Nobel Laureate C.V. Raman in 1934, has never been led by a woman scientist. Statistics reveal that women comprise only 14% of India’s working scientists, with a meager 15% representation among faculty members in research institutes nationwide.
• Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: Over 65 years, only 20 women scientists have been honoured with India’s prestigious SSB Prize for Science & Technology, despite 571 total recipients.

Status of Women in STEM: A Global Perspective

• Global Gender Gap: India’s STEM workforce comprises only 27% women, compared to 32% in non-STEM fields, highlighting disparities in gender representation.
• Research Participation: Worldwide, women constitute only 33% of researchers, with even lower representation in engineering and technology sectors.
• Educational Disparity: A gender gap persists in STEM education, with only 18% of girls pursuing higher-level STEM studies, compared to 35% of boys.

Significance of Women’s Participation in STEM

• Economic Growth: Women’s involvement in STEM fields can catalyze economic growth, with potential GDP gains of up to 10% reported in studies.
• Gender Diversity: Enhancing female representation fosters diversity and inclusivity, enriching scientific discourse and innovation.
• Targeted Interventions: Involving women in research ensures the relevance and applicability of scientific outcomes to diverse communities.
• Inclusive Decision Making: Women’s perspectives contribute valuable insights to scientific research, leading to more informed decision-making processes.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): STEM empowerment aligns with SDG 5, promoting gender equality and women’s access to transformative technologies.

Challenges Faced by Women

• Implicit and Explicit Biases: Women scientists encounter biases suggesting their unsuitability for scientific pursuits, perpetuating the Matilda Effect wherein their achievements are undervalued, leading to discrimination in perks, promotions, and opportunities.
• Societal Stereotypes: Deep-rooted stereotypes perpetuate the notion that certain STEM fields are inherently male-dominated, discouraging women from pursuing these careers.
• Lack of Role Models: Limited visibility of female role models hinders aspiring women scientists from envisioning themselves in STEM leadership roles.
• Self-Efficacy Gap: Gender disparities in self-efficacy beliefs create barriers for women, affecting their confidence to pursue STEM disciplines.
• Work-Life Balance: Dual responsibilities and societal expectations impede women’s career progression in STEM, necessitating flexible policies and support systems.
• Systemic Discrimination: Bias and discrimination in educational institutions and workplaces perpetuate the underrepresentation of women in STEM.

Government Initiatives for Women in STEM

• STI Policy by DST: The Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) policy aims to achieve 30% women’s participation in science and technology by 2030, with significant strides in women’s leadership roles.
• Indo-US Fellowship: International collaborative research opportunities empower women scientists to expand their horizons and contribute to global scientific endeavors.
• Vigyan Jyoti: Initiatives like Vigyan Jyoti encourage young girls to pursue STEM education, addressing gender disparities from an early age.
• Gender Advancement Programs: GATI and KIRAN initiatives focus on creating gender-sensitive institutions and providing career opportunities for women in S&T.
• CURIE Initiative: The CURIE program supports the development of research infrastructure in women’s universities, fostering a conducive environment for women’s participation in R&D.
• SWATI Portal: It is aimed at creating a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM. It is a complete interactive database.

Way Forward

• Continued Advocacy: Initiatives and publications spotlighting women scientists serve as reminders of the ongoing need for advocacy and support to address gender inequality in the scientific community.
• Redefining the Culture in STEM: Mandating women’s representation in boards, implementing women-centric mentoring programs, and providing flexible work setups and childcare support.
• Investment in Women-Only Institutions: Establishing women’s technology parks and institutions to address specific challenges faced by women in STEM.
• Paid Internships: Encouraging states to offer paid internships to girl science students, particularly in rural areas, to enhance their participation in STEM.
• Positive Parenting: Fostering supportive environments at home to challenge stereotypical perceptions and inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM.

Conclusion

• As Women’s Day approaches, reflections on the contributions and struggles of women scientists underscore the importance of fostering inclusivity, diversity, and equality within the scientific community.
• By celebrating their achievements and advocating for systemic changes, we pave the way for a more equitable and empowering future for women in science.

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