- Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) in India
- While India produces the highest percentage of women STEM graduates in the world (about 40%), their share in STEM jobs in the country is very low at 14% (CSIR report 2022).
- Such gradual dropping of women out of the workforce in STEM is referred to as the ‘Leaky Pipeline'.
- Key reasons for ‘Leaky Pipeline’ include marriage, childbirth, lack of family support, gender-blind institutional structures, etc.
- Need for women in STEM
- To address the shortage of skilled workers in these fields.
- To ensure gender diversity in a rapidly growing global digital economy.
- To narrow the gender, pay gap and enhance women's economic security.
- Seeing women in prominent STEM roles can help break down various gender stereotypes, while also promoting young girls to pursue these careers.
- Recommendations for promoting Women in STEM careers
- Institute stable mentorships and support networks in each organisation.
- Mandate the creation of an ‘Office for Equity and Inclusion’ in every institution.
- Ensure representation of women scientists on all panels especially those related to career drives, recruitments, budget proposals, etc.
- Set up a daycare centre on campus.