Women in STEM

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Women in STEM refers to educating females in four specific specialisations - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in an integrative and related approach.

It is an initiative pushing women to take up careers and get employed in the above domains, which males previously dominated.

This blog will explore Women in STEM and how we can create an equal future and do away with gender disparity, especially in these areas.

Women in STEM Concern Participation

The growth of Women in STEM has picked up its growth in India in the last few years, as India is one of the leading countries to produce the highest number of Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians.

Although 43% of Indian graduates in STEM are women, which is the highest globally, only 14% of these women get a job in the field in India.

The number of females who land a corporate job in STEM is proportionately less than women who graduate annually from a STEM background. There is a need for greater participation of women in the tech sector, making them influential and eventually pushing their socio-economic situation.

Women in STEM - Reasons for low Participation

The many reasons for the low participation of Women in STEM are:

• There are very few role models, as there are very few Women in STEM
• Often, STEM roles are considered male-oriented or viewed as masculine, which makes the parents and teachers underestimate the girls
• Household responsibilities and pressure related to marriage, childbirth, etc., are among the leading reasons for the lower participation of Women in STEM
• Physical safety while on work or commuting to work and harassment at the workplace can lead to lower participation of Women in STEM
• Math anxiety is a real issue that makes the girls think they are weak or need to work hard in mathematics, leading to lower participation

Women in STEM - Initiatives by the Government

There are some initiatives taken by Indian authorities to promote the involvement of Women in STEM. These include:

• Gender advancement for transforming institutions (GATI) is a new intervention program for gender equality in science and technology in India
• Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), GATI is an innovative and broad project
• Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN scheme), the main aim of this initiative is to bring gender uniformity in the technology and science sector by allowing more women talent in the Research and Development stream through various initiatives
• Women Scientist Scheme under the KIRAN scheme also empowers women in science and technology and employs a break in work due to personal reasons
• Also, there should be an improvement in STEM education and support for girls starting in early education to pursue education in science and technology

☛ Also Read: Weekly Current Affairs

Girls and young women are strategically kept away from pursuing careers in Mathematics, Science, or Technology by limiting the access and opportunities in these fields.

The rarity of Women in STEM is not because of skill inadequacy or limited access but majorly because of gender biases prevalent in our society.

FAQs on Women in STEM

Q.1. Who first coined the term STEM, and why is there talk about Women in STEM?

Dr Ramaley was the first to coin the term STEM when she was assistant director of education and human resource directorate at the national science foundation between 2001 and 2004. Talk about Women in STEM happens because more women are now taking up careers and getting employed in these domains, previously dominated by males.

Q.2. Why is it important to promote gender equality for Women in STEM?

Despite many women graduates in STEM fields, only 14% can land a STEM job in India. This makes it essential for the government to consider steps that can help promote and improve the ratio of Women in STEM fields.

Q.3. Is it hard being a Women in STEM?

According to the India Together article, Women in STEM are under-represented, which is not have to do with the higher requirements for landing a STEM job. Despite an increased number of women choosing STEM jobs, many women opt out of STEM careers due to multiple reasons.

These include work burdens, family commitments, childbirth, household responsibilities, and other societal reasons. Also, nearly 81% of Women in STEM have faced gender bias, which negatively affects their performance.

Q.4. How many Women are in STEM?

43% of Indian graduates are Women in STEM, which is the highest globally.

Q.5. Why are there fewer Women in STEM?

The many reasons for the low participation of Women in STEM are:

• There are very few role models, as there are very few Women in STEM
• Household responsibilities and pressure related to marriage, childbirth, etc
• Physical safety while at work or commuting to work
• Increasing cases of harassment at the workplace
• Math anxiety is a real issue that makes the girls think they are weak or need to work hard in mathematics, leading to lower participation of Women in STEM