Women in STEM – Challenges, Progress, and the Road Ahead in India
This topic is highly pertinent to UPSC GS Paper 1, engaging with themes on society, gender issues, and social empowerment. It is also crucial for GS Paper 2, which covers governance, welfare policies, and gender-sensitive schemes. Finally, GS Paper 3 includes science and technology topics where women’s participation in STEM relates to innovation policy and developmental science. Aspirants can craft nuanced answers illustrating interlinkages between gender inclusion, governance, and sustainable scientific progress.
Introduction
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are critical pillars that fuel innovation, economic growth, and national development. Across the globe, the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a persistent challenge that hampers inclusive progress. In India, despite promising numbers of female STEM graduates, gender disparities endure sharply in participation and leadership roles in research, academia, and industry. Empowering women in STEM is essential not only for equity but as a strategic imperative for sustainable development, social empowerment, and innovation-led governance.
Current Status of Women in STEM
Data from UNESCO and India’s AISHE shows that women make up about 43% of STEM graduates at the higher education level—the highest among many countries. However, workforce data reflect that only around 27% of STEM professionals in India are women, with representation thinning further in research roles (approximately 18.6%) and radical underrepresentation at senior management and leadership levels. Studies reveal that while girls increasingly enroll in science and technology programs, the transition and retention into STEM careers remain problematic, termed as the “leaky pipeline.”
Compared globally, India outperforms many developing countries in female STEM education enrollment but continues to lag behind economically advanced nations with more gender-inclusive policies.
Historical Overview & Contribution
Indian women have paved remarkable paths in STEM, with pioneers like Janaki Ammal in botany, Asima Chatterjee in chemistry, and space mission astronaut Kalpana Chawla inspiring generations. Today, figures like Tessy Thomas, known as India’s missile woman, and virologist Gagandeep Kang, renowned for vaccine research, lead critical national programs — from ISRO’s spacecraft missions like Chandrayaan-3 to DRDO’s defense technologies. Women’s leadership in these premier institutions signals progress, but represents only a fraction of the broader STEM landscape.
Barriers to Women’s Participation
Social and institutional barriers continue to hinder women’s full participation in STEM careers:
- Stereotypes and Social Norms: Gender biases deter girls early from engaging deeply with math and science subjects, limiting aspirations toward STEM careers.
- Educational Challenges: Lack of access to mentorship, gender-insensitive curricula, and fewer women role models constrain retention in STEM education.
- Workplace Issues: Significant pay gaps, career breaks for family care without adequate support, lack of flexible work arrangements, harassment, and safety concerns contribute to attrition.
- Leadership and Visibility: Women hold fewer leadership roles in STEM industries and academia, creating a dearth of mentorship and reinforcement.
- Cultural Expectations: Traditional expectations force women to prioritize domestic responsibilities, impacting career continuity.
Government Initiatives and Policies
The Indian government has recognized these challenges and instituted targeted programs:
- Vigyan Jyoti: Scholarships and mentorship encouraging girls’ STEM education.
- GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions): Creates gender-equity frameworks in research institutions.
- KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing): Supports women scientists through grants and fellowships.
- DST Women Scientists Scheme (WOS) & SERB POWER: Enhance research funding and promote leadership.
- The Women Entrepreneurship Platform by NITI Aayog propels women-led startups in STEM-related industries.
- The National Education Policy 2020 explicitly encourages gender inclusion from school through higher education in STEM subjects.
These efforts need accelerated implementation and wide-scale awareness to realize their full potential.
Private Sector and Global Efforts
Private corporations like Google and Infosys run specific programs focused on increasing women in R&D and technology roles, serving as vital complements to public initiatives. Globally, initiatives such as UN Women’s “Girls in ICT Day” and the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 5 emphasize closing STEM gender gaps for inclusive growth. International collaborations and knowledge exchanges further bolster gender inclusion efforts in India.
Case Studies & Success Stories
Women like Tessy Thomas spearheading missile development and Gagandeep Kang’s vaccine research highlight the heights of success achievable through institutional support and mentorship. Projects like Chandrayaan-3 and other space missions have women at the helm, publicly underscoring Indian women’s competence and leadership in STEM. Such examples inspire younger women to pursue and sustain STEM careers, creating positive cycles of inclusion.
Way Forward
To achieve true gender parity in STEM, India must:
- Integrate gender-neutral pedagogy in early education and promote STEM engagement among girls.
- Institutionalize mentorship and sponsorship programs connecting female students and professionals with leaders.
- Implement flexible work policies, robust maternity support, safe working environments, and zero-tolerance harassment policies.
- Increase allocation of dedicated funds for women-led research and innovation projects.
- Conduct awareness campaigns to dismantle stereotypes and mainstream women’s accomplishments in STEM.
- Enhance data-centric monitoring to tailor policy interventions and evaluate impact effectively.
- Encourage male allies and institutional accountability for fostering equality.
Conclusion
Bridging the gender gap in STEM is not merely a question of representation; it is a significant national imperative to harness full human capital for innovation and growth. Empowering women in STEM catalyzes social equity, economic prosperity, and global competitiveness. India’s ongoing policy measures and evolving societal attitudes offer hope, but sustained efforts are essential to transform India into an inclusive STEM powerhouse where women thrive equally.
FAQs on Women in STEM in India
Q1: What is the current percentage of women in STEM education in India?
Women comprise nearly 43% of STEM graduates in higher education in India, but their representation declines sharply in professional and research roles.
Q2: What are the main barriers faced by women pursuing STEM careers in India?
Stereotypes, societal expectations, workplace gender bias, lack of mentorship, career breaks, and limited leadership opportunities are key challenges.
Q3: Which government schemes support women in STEM?
Schemes like Vigyan Jyoti, GATI, KIRAN, DST Women Scientists Scheme (WOS), and SERB POWER promote education, research, and entrepreneurship for women.
Q4: How does India compare globally in women’s STEM participation?
India fares better than many developing countries in women’s STEM education but lags behind developed nations in workforce participation and leadership.
Q5: What role does NEP 2020 play in gender inclusion in STEM?
NEP 2020 emphasizes gender inclusion by promoting equal opportunities and encouraging girls’ participation in STEM from early education onwards.
Q6: How can private sector efforts aid women in STEM?
Corporate programs like Google Women Techmakers and Infosys initiatives create supportive environments and career development for women in tech and research.
