STEM
Source- IndianExpress
Context
- Problems and solutions to the gender gap in STEM-Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics; are discussed through data from reports and first-hand experiences from women and young girls.
- Women account for over 43% of all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates in India, one of the highest in the world, according to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2019-20.
- Only 14% of them pursue scientific research in universities and institutions.
Gender Gap:
The gender gap is the difference between women and men as reflected in social, political, intellectual, cultural, and economic attainments or attitudes.
Global Gender Gap Index:
The Global Gender Gap Index is an index designed to measure gender equality. It is released by the World Economic Forum(WEF).
Global Gender Gap Index aims to measure this gap in four key areas-health, education, economics and politics.
Problems:
- Women’s entry and retention in science higher education are low.
- Women display lower levels of career attainment than their male counterparts in STEM research.
- STEM is seen as stereotypically inappropriate for women without any scientific base.
Suggestions:
Women role Models
- According to the survey, 95% of children including girls have male role models as their inspiration in STEM models.
- This highlights the urgent need to increase the exposure of women role models.
- Mentorship programs should be introduced in schools, where successful women alumni mentor kids on career development.
- Social media can also promote women in science that can encourage young girls to choose their careers confidently.
Women in STEM Workplace
- In India, women, in particular, quit their jobs in the middle of their careers owing to the dual stress of combining work and family obligations.
- Career opportunities and employability should be increased for women in STEM sectors.
Reasons
- As per the 2016-17 NITI Aayog report, tried to understand the reason behind the loss of trained women scientists who are able to work longer in STEM, they expect age relaxation in eligibility criteria, an extension of benefits like housing, transport, medical help, flexibility in their job contracts that allows them to work more efficiently.
- Career breaks need to be accommodated as women scientists have dual commitments.
Position of India
Out of 146 countries, India occupied different positions in various fields.
- Political Empowerment-48/146
- Economic Participation-143/146
- Educational Attainment- 107/146
- Health & survival-146/146
Lower women’s participation in the STEM fields needs to be addressed for closing the Gender Gap.
