Women, STEM Careers, and a More Receptive Industry
Syllabus:
- GS1: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues.
- GS2: Social Justice (Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources); Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
- GS3: Inclusive Growth and issues arising from it.
The Paradox: Education vs. Employment
India is a land of paradox when it comes to women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). On one hand, India boasts the highest percentage of female STEM graduates globally, at approximately 43%. On the other hand, a stark “leaky pipeline” exists, with women making up only 27% of the STEM workforce and a mere 14% of STEM jobs. This significant gap between educational attainment and professional participation is a critical issue that hinders India’s economic growth and social progress.
Challenges and Barriers: The Unreceptive Ecosystem
The core of the problem lies not in women’s capabilities, but in a systemic and often unreceptive industry and social environment. The challenges can be categorized into three key areas:
- Societal and Cultural Barriers:
- Gender Stereotypes: Deep-rooted societal biases and expectations often discourage young girls from pursuing STEM careers, viewing them as male-dominated and incompatible with traditional gender roles.
- Unpaid Work Burden: Women in India perform nearly seven times more unpaid domestic and care work than men. This disproportionate burden limits their time, mobility, and energy to dedicate to demanding professional careers.
- Lack of Family Awareness: Many families lack awareness of the career opportunities available in STEM, and societal pressure to prioritize marriage and family responsibilities often leads to women dropping out of the workforce.
- Institutional and Workplace Barriers:
- Gender Bias in Hiring and Promotion: A study by BiasWatchIndia revealed significant disparities in women’s representation across various STEM faculties and a stark “glass ceiling,” with women’s representation dropping sharply from entry-level to leadership roles.
- Lack of Mentorship and Role Models: The scarcity of senior women in STEM means that junior women lack mentors who can guide them through career challenges. This creates a cycle of underrepresentation.
- Workplace Culture and Safety: A patriarchal and sometimes hostile work environment, coupled with a lack of formal mechanisms to address issues like sexual harassment and gender discrimination, can make workplaces unwelcoming and unsafe.
- The “Leaky Pipeline” Phenomenon:
- The most critical challenge is the high attrition rate of women at various career stages. They might be well-represented in educational institutions but are unable to translate their education into long-term careers.
- Factors such as relocation, marriage, and childbirth often lead to career breaks, and without supportive policies, it becomes difficult for women to re-enter the workforce.
Government and Corporate Initiatives: Towards a More Receptive Industry
Recognizing the immense potential of its female talent pool, the government and the corporate sector are taking steps to address these barriers and create a more inclusive environment.
Government Initiatives:
- Vigyan Jyoti Scheme: A program by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) that encourages meritorious girl students from Class IX to XII to pursue higher education and careers in STEM, especially in underrepresented areas.
- KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing) Scheme: This initiative, particularly the Women Scientist Scheme (WOS), provides research opportunities for women who have taken a career break and helps them re-enter the scientific workforce.
- Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI): An initiative aimed at promoting gender equality in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) institutions by creating a supportive and inclusive ecosystem.
Corporate and Industry-led Initiatives:
- Mentorship and Networking: Companies are increasingly launching formal mentorship and sponsorship programs to connect female employees with senior leaders.
- Diversity & Inclusion Policies: Many firms have adopted policies that include flexible work hours, remote work options, paid parental leave, and crèche facilities to help women balance work and family responsibilities.
- Structured Re-skilling Programs: Companies are offering “returnship” programs and targeted training to help women who have taken career breaks update their skills and smoothly transition back into the workforce.
- Partnerships with Academia: The private sector is collaborating with educational institutions to create direct career pathways from classrooms to careers, ensuring that women have practical experience and a clear line of sight to employment.
Conclusion: The Urgency for Action
The editorial concludes that the onus of change now lies with the industry. The economic stakes are high, with estimates by the McKinsey Global Institute suggesting that empowering more women to participate in the workforce could boost India’s GDP by up to $700 billion. By equipping women and girls with the necessary skills and creating an environment that values their contributions, India can not only unlock its demographic dividend but also foster a more equitable, innovative, and robust society.
“The importance of India and Europe walking in step”
The editorial “The importance of India and Europe walking in step” argues that the partnership between India and Europe is not just a matter of convenience but a strategic necessity rooted in shared values and geopolitical compulsions. In an increasingly fragmented world, their cooperation is crucial for a stable and rules-based global order.
Key Reasons for the Strategic Alignment
1. A Response to a Shifting Global Order: The editorial points out that the traditional post-WWII global order, anchored by U.S. leadership, is becoming increasingly volatile. The rise of a more assertive China, the war in Ukraine, and a growing unpredictability in American foreign policy have compelled both India and Europe to diversify their partnerships and seek strategic autonomy. Their shared interest in maintaining a multipolar world makes them natural partners.
2. Shared Values as a Foundation: As the world’s largest democracies, India and the European Union share fundamental values, including a commitment to democratic principles, human rights, and multilateralism. These shared values provide a strong foundation for their cooperation, enabling them to act as a counterweight to authoritarian regimes and to advocate for a rules-based international order.
3. Economic and Trade Synergy: The economic partnership is a cornerstone of this relationship.
- Trade: The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner, and India is a crucial and growing market for European goods and services. Ongoing negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are a key focus, aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment.
- Investments: The EU is a major source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India, which is vital for its economic growth and infrastructure development.
- Diversification of Supply Chains: Both India and Europe are keen to reduce their dependence on single countries (like China) for critical goods. Their partnership offers an opportunity to build resilient and diversified global supply chains.
4. The Geopolitical Corridor of the Indo-Pacific: The Indo-Pacific is a key area of strategic convergence.
- Maritime Security: Both India and Europe have a shared interest in ensuring the security of vital sea lanes of communication (SLOCs) in the Indian Ocean, which are essential for global trade. They are collaborating on maritime security initiatives and conducting joint naval exercises.
- Counterbalancing China: The partnership is seen as a way to manage the rise of China’s influence in the region, particularly its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched during India’s G20 presidency, is a prime example of a joint effort to create an alternative, transparent, and rules-based connectivity project.
5. Cooperation in Critical and Emerging Technologies: The establishment of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) underscores their commitment to working together on critical technologies of the future.
- Strategic Autonomy: Both sides are focused on achieving strategic autonomy in areas like digital technology, semiconductors, and green hydrogen, which are crucial for their economic and national security.
- Digital Governance: They are collaborating on aligning standards for digital public infrastructure, AI, and cybersecurity to ensure a secure and open technological environment.
Challenges and The Way Forward
Despite the clear convergence of interests, the editorial acknowledges that challenges remain.
- Divergence on Russia: India’s stance of strategic autonomy and its historical ties to Russia have sometimes created friction with the EU, which has taken a strong stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- Trade Barriers: Issues like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and differences over labor and environmental standards pose challenges to the ongoing FTA negotiations.
- Perceptual Gaps: The editorial notes that both sides have to overcome stereotypes. Europe must move beyond viewing India as a reluctant partner, and India must develop a more nuanced understanding of Europe’s internal complexities.
In conclusion, the editorial argues that India and Europe’s partnership is now a “partnership of conviction.” By walking in step, they can jointly address global challenges, from geopolitical instability and climate change to technological disruption, and collectively build a more stable, inclusive, and equitable world.
