Women in STEM: Shaping tomorrow’s world today

6 min readSep 24, 2023

In the world of modern education and professional opportunities, STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, stands as a pillar of innovation and progress. But within this field, a significant aspect often overlooked is the invaluable contribution of women. This blog post embarks on a journey to explore the importance of women in STEM fields, highlighting their achievements, challenges, and the immense potential they hold. Our purpose here is to celebrate their accomplishments, acknowledge the hurdles they face, and inspire a brighter future where gender equality reigns supreme in the world of STEM.

Women have always been a part of humanity’s scientific and technical path, although often in the background. Women’s participation in STEM has historically been limited due to prevailing cultural conventions and gender biases. Their contributions, however, have been significant, even if not always acknowledged. Women like Gargi Vachaknavi and Maitreyi, for example, were renowned academics in ancient India who engaged in philosophical and scientific disputes during the Vedic period. They were outliers in a society where women’s opportunities were limited.

From the mid 90s, India has witnessed a gradual but notable transformation, marked by increasing opportunities for women in STEM careers. Despite lingering obstacles, these years saw a significant increase in the number of women entering traditionally male-dominated domains within the STEM fields.

As per the annual All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report, which indicates enrolment in undergraduate, Master, and PhD-level programs, the number of women in India who have opted for STEM courses has increased from 10,02,707 in 2017–18 to 10,56,095 in 2019–2020.

Indian women who made history in STEM

Janaki Ammal (1897–1984): An Indian botanist known for her research in genetics and cytogenetics, Ammal’s work in plant breeding contributed to agricultural advancements.
Asima Chatterjee (1917–2006): A renowned organic chemist, Chatterjee made significant contributions to medicinal chemistry. She was the first woman to receive a Doctorate of Science from an Indian university.
Rajeshwari Chatterjee (1922–2010): A physicist and one of the first female engineers from Karnataka, India, she made significant contributions to the field of microwave engineering.
Dr. Tessy Thomas: Known as the “Missile Woman of India,” she led the development of ballistic missile defense systems and made a mark in aerospace engineering.
Ritu Karidhal: Ritu Karidhal, often referred to as the “Rocket Woman of India,” made significant contributions to India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) as the Deputy Operations Director. Also the mission director of the Chandrayaan-2. Her work showcased the prowess of women in space exploration.
Kalpana Chawla (1961–2003): While not born in India, Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American astronaut, made history by becoming the first woman of Indian origin in space. She inspired countless women to pursue careers in aerospace and space exploration.
Aditi Pant: The first Indian woman to visit Antarctica in 1983 as a part of the Indian expedition to study Geology and Oceanography.
Roshini Godbole: IISc physicist who helped CERN find elusive Higgs Boson Particle.

Barriers preventing women from pursuing STEM careers

One of the foremost barriers deterring women from entering STEM careers is the discrimination and gender bias in both academic and professional environments. This form of discrimination assumes various forms:

Gender Stereotyping: Women often face the burden of stereotypes that cast doubts on their mathematical and scientific abilities. These stereotypes can significantly influence educators’ expectations, leading to fewer opportunities for girls in STEM education.
Unequal Opportunities: Women frequently encounter inequalities concerning access to resources, research prospects, and financial support. Biased decision-making processes tend to limit their progress within academic and professional settings.
Microaggressions: Subtle forms of discrimination, such as microaggressions and unconscious bias, can create hostile and unwelcoming environments for women pursuing STEM disciplines. These behaviors gradually erode their self-confidence and sense of belonging.

Taking substantive measures to address these barriers is crucial to cultivating diversity and achieving gender equity within STEM fields. Efforts to reduce discrimination, create inclusive environments, and provide mentorship and role models are pivotal steps toward enabling women to thrive in STEM careers.

Initiatives to overcome gender gap in STEM

In February, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani announced that 11 new chairs would be set up in prominent institutions of the country to encourage women to pursue STEM.

In order to increase the participation of women in science, the government has also initiated several schemes such as Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN). The scheme, launched in 2014–15, provides opportunities for women scientists in moving up the academic and administrative ladder. One of the programmes under the KIRAN scheme — ‘Women Scientist Scheme’ — provides career opportunities to unemployed women scientists and technologists, especially those who had a break in their career.
Women in Engineering, Science, and Technology (WEST):The WEST program will be targeted to women with STEM backgrounds and will empower them to contribute to science, technology, and innovation.

Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) linking Researchers and Resources, is motivated to close the gender gap in engineering, science, and technology-related education and careers by launching this initiative.

I-STEM will provide a different platform for scientifically minded women researchers, scientists, and professionals to pursue research in basic or applied sciences in frontier areas of science and engineering through the WEST program.

At the school level, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) launched the Vigyan Jyoti scheme in 2020. Under the scheme, schools were directed to conduct regular special lectures, classes, and science camps as a way of encouraging female students, especially those in classes 9 to 12, to pursue higher education in STEM.
DST also launched the Consolidation of University Research for Innovation and Excellence (CURIE) initiative, which provides support to women universities in improving their Research & Development (R&D) facilities.

The Benefits of Female participation in STEM

The need for gender diversity within STEM fields extends beyond individual aspirations. Embracing an equal representation of women in these domains has several benefits:

Enhanced Innovation: Diversity in perception and thought stimulates innovation. Contribution of more women in STEM creates a broader range of ideas and approaches, improving creativity and problem solving. Diverse often perform better in terms of innovation and are often better at addressing complex challenges.
Tackling Global issues: Many of the world’s pressing issues, such as climate change and healthcare, require interdisciplinary solutions. Women bring unique insights and collaborative skills that are crucial for developing comprehensive strategies to address these global challenges.
Economic Growth: A diverse workforce in STEM industries contributes to economic growth. It ensures a broader talent pool, fosters competitiveness, and attracts investment. Greater participation by women can lead to a more robust and resilient economy.
Gender-Inclusive Solutions: Women are more likely to consider the specific needs of women and underrepresented groups when designing solutions. This results in products and services that are more equitable and accessible to everyone
Diverse Leadership: Gender-diverse leadership in STEM organizations can lead to more balanced decision-making and policies that support a broader range of perspectives and needs.
Workplace Culture: Greater gender diversity can lead to more inclusive workplace cultures, where all employees feel valued and respected. This, in turn, can enhance job satisfaction, retention, and overall employee well-being.

Encouraging and supporting women’s participation in STEM is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategically essential development for the advancement of science, technology, and the well-being of society as a whole.

Blog written by Annika

References

Women in STEM: Shaping tomorrow’s world today

The Benefits of Female participation in STEM

Written by Women Unified