The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a significant stride towards gender parity in science and technology, women are now at the forefront of leading prestigious science projects in India, such as the Aditya L1 mission and Chandrayaan3. The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, shared this encouraging development in the Lok Sabha.
Dr. Singh emphasized that women are no longer just participants but are assuming leadership roles in cutting-edge space research programs. This transition is evident in projects like Chandrayaan-3 and the Aditya-L1 solar mission, where women scientists hold positions including that of Project Director.
Highlighting the growing involvement of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM), Dr. Singh pointed out that women currently make up 43% of enrolments in these fields at the higher education level. This increase in participation is expected to translate into a higher representation of women in professional scientific roles in the near future.
Dr. Singh reassured that there is no gender bias in promotions within the science and technology sector. He expressed optimism that the overall representation of women in science and technology jobs will soon improve, reflecting the increased higher education enrolment. He noted that while the current percentage of women scientists stands at 18.6%, with R&D projects run by women up to 25%, the surge in higher education enrolment to 43% indicates a promising future for women’s representation in the field.
The Minister also referenced the WISE scheme, initiated during Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure and revitalized as the WISE – KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) Scheme by PM Modi in 2014. The budget for the WISE scheme has seen a substantial increase since 2014, growing from Rs.44 crore to nearly Rs.135 crore.
Under the WISE-KIRAN Scheme, 2,153 women scientists have benefited in the last five years and the current year. The scheme supports women scientists and technologists, including those who had career breaks, and promotes girls and women in Science & Technology through various programs. The flagship Women Scientist Scheme (WOS) under WISE-KIRAN offers opportunities in research and intellectual property rights for women scientists.
The Department of Science and Technology has introduced new programs under the WISE-KIRAN Scheme in 2023-24, including WISE Fellowship for Ph.D., WISE Post-Doctoral Fellowship, WISE-SCOPE, WIDUSHI Programme, and WISE Internship in Intellectual Property Rights. These initiatives are designed to encourage women in STEM fields and address societal challenges through science and technology interventions.
This progressive trend in women’s participation and leadership in science and technology in India is a significant move towards achieving gender parity in the field and utilizing the potential of women scientists for the advancement of science and society.