Modern society stands on the advancements of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), a field that has been leading in innovation and progress. However, there’s a noticeable STEM gender gap, with women being underrepresented in these fields. Globally, women make up only 29.2% of the STEM workforce, with India bringing this inequality to around 27%. This disparity highlights the need for encouraging women in STEM and promoting gender equality in STEM education.
Understanding STEM and Its Evolution
STEM has a few key disciplines which fuel technological innovations and practical problem solutions to global challenges. Scientific knowledge and mathematical expertise drive innovations in sustainable energy, medical research, and other critical sectors that support societal growth. Modern developments in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and space exploration continue to reshape STEM, opening new avenues for discovery and progress.
Read More: Investing in the Future: The Economic Benefits of STEM Higher Education
Government Initiatives Promoting STEM Education for Girls
Here are the various initiatives that have been established to support STEM education for girls:
- The Million Women Mentors (MWM) India program seeks to provide guidance and support to one million women and girls in STEM through mentoring until 2025.
- Women in STEMM Fellowship operates in India to help young women researchers through leadership training together with technical research skill development.
- The Department of Science and Technology (DST) offers mentorship programs as a solution for women to access STEM career opportunities through essential tools and mentorship support.
Identifying the Gaps in the STEM Field for Females
Women studying STEM subjects encounter numerous obstacles although educational institutions and job markets have shown substantial improvement for female students. Various scientific fields demonstrate persistent gender inequality because women remain outnumbered by men in engineering fields as well as computer science and physics disciplines. STEM education and careers present vital barriers for female students which can be illustrated by the following examples:
1. Gender Stereotypes in Society
Social constructs frequently cast doubts about the requirement of STEM education for girls as against boys. Social expectations which claim natural mathematical and scientific abilities in boys prevent female students from joining these activities.
Example: Socialization starts early among females, as documented by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which found that grade-school girls develop the belief that STEM subjects are for boys. This mindset, in turn, reduces their aspirations for STEM-focused careers.
2. Limited Access to Female STEM Mentors
The presence of women mentors in STEM disciplines shows young girls concrete evidence that becomes critical to their decision about STEM career paths. The shortage of female mentors obstructs girls in their search for guidance.
Example: The 2022 UNESCO report revealed that women make up only 28% of STEM workers globally which prevents many female students from finding relevant mentors in science fields.
3. Insufficient STEM Outreach Programs for Girls
While there are initiatives to support STEM outreach programs for girls, they are not as widespread or effective as they need to be. Many programs are not accessible to students in rural or underprivileged communities.
Example: Although Girls Who Code serves as an example of successful bridge-building efforts in a world where many girls continue to lack support for STEM initiatives in schools worldwide.
4. Workplace Barriers and Gender Bias
The workplace discrimination alongside uneven salaries and minimal strategic leadership positions for women explains the ongoing low numbers of females working in STEM fields post-graduation.
Example: According to a Harvard study, women in science and technology often experience gender bias when applying for funding or leadership roles, making career progression difficult.
Strategies to Encourage Girls in STEM Fields
To close the STEM gender gap, schools must actively implement strategies that support and empower girls in these fields. Below are eight actionable strategies, each with a real-life example:
1. Promote Women STEM Role Models
Featuring successful women in science and technology through inspirational examples serves as an inspiration for young girls to pursue STEM fields.
Example: Schools together with universities should organize lectures by STEM women leaders such as Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who is the leader of one of Asia’s strongest innovation-driven biotech companies, Biocon. She is a leading woman in science making a global impact.
2. Implement Gender-Inclusive Teaching Practices
The instructional approach requires modification to deliver STEM education attractively to boys and girls equally.
Example: Schools should combine practical science and math applications through robotics competitions because this approach helps both genders equally participate.
3. Provide Mentorship and Support Networks
Female STEM mentors should lead mentorship efforts which pair up young girls to receive guidance and encouragement.
Example: Programs like Women Who Code and MentorNet structure mentoring relationships while offering networking options to girls who want to pursue STEM positions.
4. Organize STEM Outreach Programs for Girls
The establishment of specialized programs which teach STEM to girls from an early age results in sustained learning benefits.
Example: The TechGirls program exposes young women to computational education by teaching them coding and engineering fundamentals which builds their STEM self-assurance.
5. Encourage Hands-on Learning and STEM Activities
Projects that allow students to participate physically combined with hands-on learning activities enhance the appeal of STEM subjects for female students.
Example: Schools should establish specific programs which include science fairs as well as coding boot camps and hackathons for female students pursuing STEM education.
6. Address and Challenge Gender Stereotypes
Creating awareness and actively challenging biases can help in breaking barriers for women in STEM.
Example: Media platforms operating “She Can STEM” feature female STEM professionals to demonstrate the capabilities of girls in these fields thus reshaping social stereotypes.
7. Provide Scholarships and Financial Support
Financial limitations force numerous female students to discontinue their study of STEM subjects. The distribution of scholarships specifically designated for STEM education creates opportunities which enhance gender diversity in these fields.
Example: The Google Women Techmakers program extends scholarships and educational opportunities specifically for young women pursuing STEM university programs.
8. Encourage Schools to Offer More STEM Electives for Girls
Schools should offer specialized STEM electives and career counselling focused on empowering girls in STEM.
Example: The “Girls Who Build” initiative leads female students to engineering and computer science through school programs where they become more likely to choose STEM professions.
Read More: STEM Revolution: How Higher Education is Meeting the Demands of the Digital Age
Inspiring Female Mentors in STEM from India
Let’s talk about five extraordinary female mentors in STEM from India who have achieved remarkable things. They can also inspire girls with valuable guidance.
1. Dr. Tessy Thomas – The ‘Missile Woman’ of India
Field: Aerospace Engineering, Defense Science
Who is She?
Dr Tessy Thomas leads the missile project in India as the first female scientist within the scientific community of missile development. She actively contributed to missile development at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a critical scientist in creating Agni series missiles.
Achievements:
- Her leadership of Agni-IV and Agni-V made her the first woman in Indian missile project management.
- Director General of Aeronautical Systems, DRDO.
- Received several accolades and earned the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Excellence in Public Administration.
Lessons to Learn:
- Persistence and dedication can break gender barriers in male-dominated fields.
- Leadership and technical expertise go hand in hand.
- The importance of contributing to national security through science.
2. Dr. Aditi Pant – The Ocean Explorer
Field: Oceanography, Environmental Science
Who is She?
Dr Aditi Pant is a prominent oceanographer who became the initial Indian female to join an Antarctic expedition. Her areas of expertise include climate studies together with marine science.
Achievements:
- Part of India’s first Antarctic mission in 1983.
- Made extensive contributions to marine science and investigated ocean currents together with their impact on climate.
- Worked at the National Institute of Oceanography followed by the Antarctic Division which belongs to the Department of Ocean Development.
Lessons to Learn:
- Curiosity and courage can take you to unknown territories.
- Women can make remarkable contributions to environmental science.
- Pioneering research requires both passion and resilience.
3. Dr. Ritu Karidhal – The ‘Rocket Woman’ of India
Field: Space Science, Aerospace Engineering
Who is She?
Dr. Ritu Karidhal works at ISRO as a senior scientist while leading the development of Mangalyaan India’s Mars Orbiter Mission.
Achievements:
- Deputy Operations Director for the Mars Orbiter Mission, India’s first interplanetary mission.
- Key scientist in the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission.
- Multiple recognitions have been bestowed upon her the ISRO Team Award and the Women Achievers in Aerospace Award.
Lessons to Learn:
- Dream big and work consistently to achieve the impossible.
- Women can excel in space science and technology.
- The importance of teamwork and innovation in scientific research.
4. Dr. Gagandeep Kang – The Vaccine Scientist
Field: Medical Science, Microbiology, Public Health
Who is She?
The country of India counts Dr Gagandeep Kang among its leading medical scientists who dedicates her work to both infectious diseases and vaccines.
Achievements:
- Contributed substantially to creating an Indian vaccine against Rotavirus for national use.
- Stands as the first Indian woman who gained membership in the Royal Society through their Fellow of the Royal Society title (FRS).
- Director of the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI).
Lessons to Learn:
- Scientific research can have a direct impact on saving lives.
- Women in STEM can revolutionize healthcare and medicine.
- Hard work and expertise can earn international recognition.
5. Dr. Sudha Murthy – The Tech Pioneer and Philanthropist
Field: Computer Science, Engineering
Who is She?
Dr Sudha Murthy earned recognition through philanthropy after obtaining fame while working at TATA Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO) in its initial stages as its first female engineering hire. The foundation of Indian IT growth came through her work at the Infosys Foundation after she finished her engineering career.
Achievements:
- First woman engineer at TELCO.
- Co-founder of Infosys Foundation, supporting education and technology.
- Received the Padma Shri from the Indian government for both technology development and social work achievements.
Lessons to Learn:
- Women can lead in both technical and managerial fields.
- Education and technology can be used for social good.
- Breaking barriers in the corporate world is possible with determination.
Key Insights
This recent research showed that STEM field interest stays strong for women while their self-assurance about their competence weakens progressively. Research indicates that girls display lower confidence levels concerning their math and science abilities going from 73% in 2017 to 59% in 2017. This underscores the importance of mentorship and positive reinforcement in empowering girls in STEM.
Conclusion
Bridging the gender gap in STEM requires collective efforts from educational institutions, government bodies, communities, and organizations. By fostering an environment that supports and encourages girls in STEM fields, schools can pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future. Organizations like Varthana play a crucial role in this journey by providing financial support and resources, enabling educational institutions opportunities that empower the next generation of women in science and technology.
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