Despite the significant accomplishments of Indian women in various domains, their path in science has never been easy given the barriers aplenty
Gone are the days when Indian women were limited to domestic roles. In 2024, Indian women are exerting their influence globally, not merely through their grace but also through their intellect, creativity and resilience. In this digital age, women are making remarkable strides across a spectrum of fields, from agriculture, business to even space exploration.
Despite the significant accomplishments of women in various domains, their path in science has never been easy, particularly due to the predominant male presence and barriers aplenty. One such persisting barrier to women’s progress lies in the traditional belief that they are incapable of handling technical tasks in science and innovation. As we approach 8th of March, International Women’s Day, BW Businessworld spoke to leading women and men in Science, Technology and Innovation at large to assess where the Indian society is when it comes to encouraging women in science.
India’s Advancement In STEM
On the interim budget day, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted a significant fact that deserves attention. She revealed that girls and women make up 43 per cent of the enrollment in STEM courses in India, positioning the country among the top globally. In response to this figure, Sindhu Gangadharan, SVP & MD, SAP Labs India; Vice Chairperson, Nasscom, said that this number not just highlights significant improvement but also serves as a reminder to not only motivate young girls to pursue careers in science but also support the existing women in the technology sector.
Commenting on this, Abhay Singh, Senior Director of HR at Applied Materials highlighted the gloomy side for women in STEM. He stressed the level of female employment in this groundbreaking industry continues to be underwhelming. “Therefore, it is crucial to advocate for gender neutrality in this field and actively encourage women to pursue their careers in it.”
Similarly, Roopashree HM, Global Director of EDA at Texas Instruments (TI), stressed on the importance of establishing an ecosystem that fosters continuous learning. Nevertheless, she encouraged societal backing and familial motivation in this endeavour.
Breaking Barriers Exploring Space
India’s Chandrayaan mission has been an extraordinary accomplishment, garnering global recognition and creating history. Reports indicate that around 54 female engineers and scientists have played a direct role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission, which showcases a strong female contribution to the scientific field despite the on-going disparity which has persisted for decades.
Speaking about the 54 scientists, Pramada Singireddy, Senior Director, SaaS Operations, Model N said, “Their involvement in Chandrayaan-3 underscores the increasing significance of female professionals in the realm of space exploration. It signifies a favorable progression towards enhanced gender inclusivity within this domain.”
Commenting on this barrier-breaking achievement, Girija Kolagada, VP, Engineering, Progress shared that although their roles may not have been prominently highlighted, the female power played a crucial role in the mission’s triumph. “These women scientists serve as inspiring examples of India’s scientific excellence,” she asserted.
On similar lines Vidya Srinivasan, Executive Vice President – Chief of Staff & Head of Global Bid Management, Hexaware Technologies said, “This success of women in the highly advanced field of space exploration will have a profound influence, inspiring those who aspire to pursue careers in STEM. Moreover, it will serve as a reminder that “women’s power” can lead to significant outcomes.
Rathnaprabha Manickavachagam, Managing Director of Innovation for India & Asia, Morgan Stanley further weighed on the nasscom’s Annual Strategic Review Report for 2023. Underlining the study, she said the participation of women in research and development (R&D) has been expanding by 4 per cent year-on-year (YoY).
Additionally, she revealed that out of the 5.5 million professionals in the Indian IT sector, approximately 38 per cent are women, showcasing their phenomenal dedication, diverse perspectives, varied experiences and unique insights into leadership positions.
“It is not surprising that Isro, with a strong culture of nurturing women’s talent and leadership, is accomplishing historic projects,” Manickavachagam added.
Family Support Remains A Major Obstacle
Despite women having reached the moon, there is still a large part of Indian society that believes women should be confined to the kitchen. Megha Khaterpal, Director of International Fraud and Identity Solutions at TransUnion Global Capability Center in India, says that the support system at home remains a major obstacle, particularly after marriage.
Khaterpal highlighted there are numerous occasions where women still encounter obstacles and stressed the significance of fostering a culture of collective responsibilities within households.
“The burden of domestic responsibilities should not solely fall on women.” – Megha Khaterpal, Director of International Fraud and Identity Solutions at TransUnion Global Capability Center in India
Surekha Mandadi, the Director of Engineering at Roche Information Solutions India, stressed “The greatest challenge that women face is finding a balance between societal expectations regarding gender roles.”
Mandadi said women often bear the burden of immense self-imposed pressure as they strive to achieve success in all aspects of their lives. Unfortunately, this can result in burnout, causing many women to abandon their career aspirations in their respective fields.
According to the International Journal of Social Science and Human Research paper (Issue May 2023), when it comes to the role of Indian women, it is predominantly confined to household chores and domestic responsibilities. Unfortunately, women in India still face significant under-representation in the workplace. With a female work participation rate of only 20 per cent, India falls far behind the global average of 47 per cent.
