Context: 

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

Contribution by Females in Chandrayaan-3 Mission:

• For the first time in India’s history, a space mission is being led by two women scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Some important women scientists include: 
  • Missile Woman of India: Dr. Tessy Thomas  
  • Rocket Woman of India: Ritu Karidhal 
  • Deputy Project Director of Chandrayaan-3 Kalpana K 

Status of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM): 

• 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. 
• World Bank Data: Only 33% of researchers are women worldwide. 
• Gender gap in STEM Education: Globally, only 18 percent of girls in higher-level education are pursuing STEM studies, compared with 35 percent of boys. 
• Contribution in Artificial Intelligence (AI): Women account for just 22% of professionals working in AI and 28% of engineering  graduates. 

Significance of Women Participation in STEM: 

• Economic Growth: A study from McKinsey found that with equal workforce distribution, India could increase its GDP by 10%. 
• Gender Diversity: More female participation can create a more diverse and inclusive scientific community. 
• Targeted Interventions: It is likely to be more relevant and can help in their empowerment. 
• Inclusivity: Including more females helps to ensure that science helps society as a whole. 
• 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 the under-representation of women in STEM: 

• Masculine Culture: Women are stereotyped as more delicate, tender and unfit for hard jobs. 
• Paucity of Female Role Models: Not enough female role models to admire and follow. 
  • (Of the 866 Nobel winners so far, only 53 have gone to women). 
• Gender gap in Self-efficacy: Females concern about their suitability only for certain “soft” fields.  
• Self-doubt among Women Professionals: It limits them from applying for leadership roles. 
• Marriage and Family Planning: It leads to delay their involvement at the doctoral levels. 
• Burden of Dual Responsibilities: Women are expected to manage both home and work, for which they require more flexible schedules. 
• Systemic Issues: This under-representation starts from school and results from deep-rooted social discrimination, social norms, biases that influence the quality of education they receive. 

Way Forward: 

• Redefining the culture in STEM: Need for mandatory representation of women, massive rollout of women-centric mentoring programs, flexible or remote work setups, and providing childcare and after-school support. 
• Investment in Women Only Institutions: To address many issues that concern women. 
• Women’s Technology Park: To attract rural women eager to learn and to start early with internships.
• Paid Internship: Each area must encourage girl science students through paid internships.
• Gender-diversity dividend in STEM: It involves systemic social and psychological changes.
• Creative Programs: To hire, retain and promote women to achieve better gender balance. 
  • Example: Indusface, 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: Needed for those seeking to re-enter the workforce after a break. 
• Positive Parenting: This will help change stereotypical perceptions and inspire young girls to choose and work in this area. 

News Source: The Hindu