Empowering Women and Girls in Science: Join Us on International Day to Bridge the Gender Gap in STEM

Every year on February 11, the United Nations celebrates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This day highlights the importance of equal access and participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for achieving gender equality. This year marks a special milestone—the 10th anniversary of this observance, with the theme “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science.”

Despite some progress, women and girls still encounter significant barriers in STEM fields. In India, while nearly 40% of STEM graduates are women, only 14% hold STEM jobs. This is part of a wider issue called the “Leaky Pipeline,” where women often leave their careers at crucial stages, impacted by life events like marriage and childbirth.

Dr. Shobhana Narasimhan, a nanoscientist, notes that almost half of science PhD students in India are women, but they struggle to find work as scientists, making up less than 20% of the workforce. This drop-off highlights the challenges women face in sustaining their careers once they’ve pursued advanced education.

The gender gap is particularly evident in university faculty positions. A recent study showed women constitute only 9.2% of engineering faculty, while biology has a slightly higher representation at 25.5%. Many women scientists also face a citation impact gap; male materials scientists in India receive 10% more citations than their female counterparts, which can hinder career advancement.

Various sociocultural factors contribute to these challenges. For instance, many believe that women should prioritize family over their careers. This belief can discourage women from fully committing to demanding research roles. Discriminatory hiring practices further complicate their journey; a prestigious research institution may shortlist only 3-5% of female applicants compared to 15-20% of males.

The Indian government has introduced several initiatives aimed at supporting women in STEM, like the Vigyan Jyoti and WISE-KIRAN programs. However, even though these initiatives successfully enroll girls in science, they struggle to retain them as they advance into higher education and professional roles.

As of 2023, women make up only 27% of India’s STEM workforce, with an alarming 81% gender gap in research and development. Gender bias still affects recruitment, career progression, and workplace evaluations. While women excel in STEM education, their representation drops to 14% in leadership roles from 29% at entry-level positions.

Many women also leave academia due to unsafe work environments, insufficient support from peers, and a lack of robust systems to address harassment. Some institutions have grievance cells, but these often lack the authority needed to effect change.

Achieving gender equality in science is not just women’s work. Dr. Narasimhan emphasizes that men and institutions must also take action. “Some think it’s solely up to women,” she says, “but it’s a shared responsibility.” This perspective highlights the importance of community support in tackling the gender gap in STEM.

There is a crucial need for transparent, gender-neutral hiring processes in academia and industry. Regular reviews of hiring practices, clear goals for female representation, and training to counteract bias can bridge the gap. Currently, there’s no centralized database to track women in STEM faculty positions in India, making it difficult to address the issue properly. Dr. Narasimhan advocates for better data collection to inform effective strategies for increasing women’s participation in science.

Strong mentorship and support networks can help women rise to leadership roles in STEM. These connections foster collaboration and increased visibility in research, equipping women to face challenges in their careers.

Beyond institutional efforts, there’s a pressing need to change societal attitudes towards women in science. Educational campaigns that start in schools, highlight female role models, and celebrate the contributions of women scientists can inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM.

The International Day for Women and Girls in Science serves as a reminder that many obstacles still exist for women in laboratories, classrooms, and research institutions. Addressing the gender gap in STEM requires a cultural shift, targeted policies, and a commitment from every level of society to create an inclusive scientific community.

Source link