Context:

The Prime Minister recently highlighted the significant contributions of female scientists and engineers towards the Chandrayaan-3 mission.

More about the news:

• For the first time in India’s history, a space mission is being led by two women scientists of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• More than 100 women played a direct and significant role in making soft-landing on the lunar south pole possible. 
• Some important women scientists include:
  • Missile Woman of India: Dr. Dr Tessy Thomas
  • Rocket Woman of India: Ritu Karidhal
  • Deputy Project Director of Chandrayaan-3 Kalpana K

• Status of women in STEM: Department of Science and Technology (DST)Report: 
  • Global status: As per the recent Global Gender Gap Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum,  women account for 27% of India’s STEM workforce, as compared to 32% of the non-STEM workforce.
  • Women in Research projects: As per World Bank data, only 33% of researchers are women worldwide 
  • Women in engineering and technology: Women account for just 22% of professionals working in artificial intelligence and 28% of engineering graduates. 
  • Gender gap in STEM Education: Globally, 18 percent of girls in higher-level education are pursuing STEM studies, compared with 35 percent of boys.

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Significance of Women Participation in STEM:

• • Economic growth: Women’s participation in STEM fields could spur economic growth and promote gender equality worldwide.
    • A study from McKinsey found that with equal workforce distribution, India could increase its GDP by 10%.
  • Gender Diversity: Involving more women and girls in science can help create a more diverse and inclusive scientific community. 
  • Targeted interventions: When women and other traditionally underrepresented groups are involved in the design and execution of scientific studies, the results are likely to be more relevant to them and their communities.
  • Inclusivity: Including women and girls in science helps ensure that the resulting knowledge is reflective of the needs of society as a whole, not just those of one group.
  • Improved decision making: Different perspectives of females can bring valuable insights and advancements to scientific research and discovery leading to better problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Achieving SDGs: STEM is crucial to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal(SDG) 5 (gender equality) which includes women’s use of enabling technology.
• Reasons behind under- representation of women in STEM:
  • Masculine culture: This is due to stereotyping that men are fitter for certain jobs and skills than women, and that women are more ‘delicate’, ‘tender’ and thus unfit for ‘hard’ jobs. 
  • Paucity of female role models:  There are not enough female role models whom women may admire and follow. (Of the 866 Nobel winners so far, only 53 have gone to women).
  • Gender gap in self-efficacy: The situation generates concerns among girls and women about their suitability only for certain “soft” fields and professions leading to self-doubt. 
  • Self-doubt among women professionals: It limits them from applying for leadership roles.
  • Challenges of Marriage and family planning:  It leads to delay in the involvement of women at the doctoral levels. 
    • Those who manage to overcome these hurdles often find themselves isolated as they stand out in predominantly male fields, where biases are prevalent and gaining recognition is a continual challenge. 
  • Burden of dual responsibilities: Women are expected to manage both home and work, for which they require more flexible schedules.
    • If there is a career break for personal reasons, it can become almost impossible for women to resume their careers in STEM. 
  • Systemic Issues: The under-representation of women in STEM starts from school and results from deep-rooted social discrimination, social norms, biases that influence the quality of education they receive and the subjects they study.

• Government initiatives:
  • Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy of DST: It is targeting 30 per cent women’s participation in science and technology by 2030. 
    • Currently, 35 of the 97 scientists in DST are women and 11 of 18 divisions are headed by them i.e., 61 per cent of women in leadership.
  • Indo-US Fellowship for Women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine): It encourages women scientists and technologists to undertake international collaborative research in premier institutions in the USA. 
  • Vigyan Jyoti: It encourages meritorious girl students of Class 9-12 to pursue education and career in science and technology, particularly in the areas where women are underrepresented. 
  • Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI): It aims to transform institutions for a more gender-sensitive approach and inclusiveness with the ultimate goal to improve gender equity in S&T.
  • KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing):  To encourage women scientists through various programmes in the field of Science and Technology (S&T). 
    • ‘Women Scientist Scheme (WOS)’ under KIRAN provides career opportunities including fellowships to unemployed women scientists and technologists, especially those who had a break in career, for pursuing research in frontier areas of science and engineering. 
  • CURIE initiative of DST: ‘Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE)’ Programme of DST provides support for development of research infrastructure in women universities to encourage women’s participation in R&D activities.

• Way Forward:
  • Redefining the culture in STEM: Mandatory representation of women in Boards, massive rollout of women-centric mentoring programs, flexible or remote work setups, and providing childcare and after-school support. 
  • Investment in women only institutions: They provide the best platform to address many issues that concern women. 
    • The Women’s Technology Park started in universities attracted rural women eager to learn and it helped young and bright women to start early on through internships and apprentices. 
  • Paid Internships: Each state, particularly in rural areas, must encourage girl science students through paid internships or monthly stipends. 
  • Gender-diversity dividend in STEM: It involves systemic social and psychological changes like introducing young women to incredible STEM role models and ensuring that women in the field are widely represented and appreciated. 
    • The work culture at ISRO has played a significant role in promoting the potential of women scientists. 
  • Creative programs: Establishing creative programs to hire, retain, and promote women can help to achieve better gender balance in STEM. 
    • For instance, organizations like Uber have employee resource groups, mentorship programs, and other initiatives to invest in young women professionals developing careers in technology. 
    • Indusface, which not only has a woman co-founder but also places a strong emphasis on hiring women in the workforce. This helps to maintain a current female ratio of 25% to 30%.
  • Mentoring and funding: Mentoring system and financial resources are needed for those seeking to reenter the workforce after a break. 
  • Positive parenting: This will help change stereotypical perceptions related to STEM subjects and inspire young girls to choose and work in this area.

News Source: The Hindu 

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