{"id":131,"date":"2019-07-10T06:59:53","date_gmt":"2019-07-10T06:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hsp14.epgpbooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/?post_type=chapter&p=131"},"modified":"2019-07-10T07:11:44","modified_gmt":"2019-07-10T07:11:44","slug":"women-in-science-technology-engineering-and-medicine","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in\/hsp14\/chapter\/women-in-science-technology-engineering-and-medicine\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine"},"content":{"raw":"
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\r\n\r\n1.0 Introduction:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

The memorable contributions of women leaders in science, arts, music, politics, sports and many others have made a significant impact in the evolution of our civilization. Unfortunately, statistical analysis of social indicators, globally and nationally, confirms that less women participate in moulding the fabric of our society.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Gender diversity is one of the compelling global needs, for many reasons: (1) to ensure the best utilization of untapped potential from 50% of global population to contribute to global\/national economy and prosperity and to establish an (2) ethical and (3) happy society. As much as women require equal opportunities in work, \u201cglobal prosperity\u201d also needs contributions from women. Hence, gender equality is not a problem of women alone, but a concern of the entire society.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

One of the major concern is shortage of skilled women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM). STEM is the backbone for growth and longevity of a society, assuring best employment opportunities, remains currently a male dominated profession. This irony is analysed in terms of factors which govern decisions in different life cycle stages of women: the initial, middle and final stages. The strategies to enhance participation of women in STEM, depend on the societal structure of the specific region. Hence, this issue is discussed in the context of India.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u201cSocial engineering\u201d is a prolonged process, necessitating voluntary, vibrant participation of all members of the society, without losing the existing strengths of our society.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

2.0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Women Achievers:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

While studying the topic of women in STEM, the foremost important topic is to recollect the contributions of women leaders of the past. Despite more difficulties for women in the past than now, there are innumerable numbers of women leaders in many fields, both globally and nationally: Valentina Tereshkova who was selected among 400 applicants to fly in space, Madame Curie, the first woman to receive Nobel Prize, in Physics and Chemistry, Helen Keller for humanitarian services. From India: Kalpana Chawla in space, Janaki Ammal the biologist and Director of Botanical Survey of India, Arundhati Roy for her writings, Mother Teresa, a Noble Prize winner for her social service, Mallika Sarabhai for her dance, M. S. Subbulakshmi for her divine music and so on. Figure.1. supports this view, showing prominent women leaders in a wide spectrum of fields. This is only a glimpse of the rich resources of the past, as an example. There are truly many more in each field.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Figure.1 Women leaders in various walks of life. <\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n(a) Global scenario and<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\n(b) National situation.<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Against the above backdrop, a natural question arises: Is the current concern on \u201cgender bias\u201d a myth? The answer to this question becomes immediately clear, with a glance at the statistics.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Based on compilation from 190 countries,<\/strong> by Inter-Parliamentary Union with UN, the number of women parliamentarians in upper house range from maximum of 39% in Rwanda to 0 in about 75 % of the countries!!! However, the consolation is, the percentage of female Indian parliamentarians have increased from 11 % in 1995 to 22% in 2015.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Only 46 women have received Nobel Prize up till 2014, against 814 men!!!<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Situation is similar in almost all walks of life:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 literacy, earning capacity and health care.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

These comparisons should not be misconstrued as an issue of men vs women. Given equal divide in demography (Figure.2a.<\/strong>) between men and women, the participation of women in global evolution is negligible in all spheres. Planet earth cannot afford to lose 50% resource and hence, a conscious effort is required to \u2018kick-start\u2019 the growth by including the \u2018unused\u2019 resource.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

Hence, \u2018gender bias\u2019 is not a myth, but a reality of our civilization, despite<\/em> many<\/em> visible women leaders in all walks of life. The extent of gender bias reduces with recognition of the social evil and more \u2018women specific\u2019 schemes.<\/em><\/p>\r\n \r\n

3.0 Gender Equality \u2013 A Societal Need:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Our planet earth will have 9 billion people by 2050, with the anticipated growth of 50 million people every year. Based on studies of various growth models of planet earth, in\u00a0order to maintain a healthy national\/global economy, <\/span>EVERY<\/strong> single person in this planet has to necessarily contribute to the productivity. It is a criminal waste of resource when a woman with desire to participate in global growth is unable to contribute, due to factors which can be corrected. Hence, \u2018gender equality\u2019 is no more a preferred status, but a necessary situation, not only for women, but for the entire society.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The inference is <\/span>\u201cWomen need work, but work needs women more\u201d.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Currently, the world we live in, is highly heterogeneous. Richest 20% receives 75% of global income!!! Poorest 40% gets only 5% of global income. The national situation is much worse. The average income (Rs. 35 per day!!) for 35% of Indian population is far less than the global average (~ $10 per day). A quantitative parameter \u201cgender gap index\u201d, was evolved by World Economic Forum in 2006, based on differences in economic, political, education and health criteria. Figure.2b<\/span>.<\/strong> suggests that there is a wide variation of gender gap<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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index across the globe and nowhere the value is one!!! The evaluation of social happiness index, by OECD in 2014, based on \u2018social indicators\u2019, reports that the index does not depend on gender, but increases with literacy level. Of 133 countries, India has ranked as 101, hence, needs many more efforts to build the happiness in our society.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\"\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Figure.2.<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

(a) Demographic distribution between Male and Female population in various countries and<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

\r\n\r\n\u00a0 (b) \u201cGender Gap Index\u201d at global level. Upload.wikimedia.org\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>2013_Gender_gap_index_world_map,<\/em><\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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Hence, \u201cGender bias is not a problem of the women, but is a problem of our entire<\/em><\/strong> civilization<\/em><\/strong>\u201d. The \u2018gender gap index\u2019 has to be increased, especially in literacy level, to improve social happiness index.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n4.0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Origin: Gender Bias:<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \r\n

Gender bias in human civilization was not heard of, until the concept of \u201csaving for future\u201d was introduced in the society. So, how did this social evil originate? Is this a manifestation of genuine capability differences between men and women? or Is it an outcome of \u2018unchecked\u2019 natural evolution of our society ?<\/p>\r\n

The physical and mental capabilities of \u2018she\u2019 s and \u2018he\u2019 s have been scientifically analysed in the last two decades. These studies have shown [15]<\/strong> that the physical strength of women is 50 \u2013 60% as strong as men, while no significant gender bias was observed in the\u00a0ratio of strength to cross-sectional area. The capabilities of \u2018he\u2019 and \u2018she\u2019 brains have also been analysed. The concentration of grey matter (P-value) and the emotional intelligence of females was found <\/span>[16]<\/strong> to be more than men. The average weight of brain in men is 10-12% more than women. However, when normalization with respect to body weight is carried out, there is no difference between men and women. The intelligence quotient depends not on absolute weight of brain, but the normalized value. Hence, the mental faculties of men and women are equal.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

It may be inferred that the 5 billion people on earth, has a wide \u201cnatural & statistical\u201d range of variation in the mental and physical capabilities, without any preferential delineation of capabilities of men and women.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Hence, <\/span>men and women are EQUAL with respect to physical and mental<\/strong> capabilities.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The \u2018mind set\u2019 is a feature, which has been continually evolving since human civilization started. The civilization evolved in a natural, uncontrolled manner. There was no\u00a0<\/span>conscious attempt to even identify unethical practices in our society till recently!! However, once the social evils were recognized and concept of \u2018social reforms\u2019 was introduced, gender bias was recognized as one of the many evils introduced in the society during the natural evolution. Once recognized and conscious corrective actions introduced, the extent of disparity also started reducing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The lifestyle of medieval women to modern women, has undergone significant changes with respect to role & rights of women, literacy, earning capacity, inheritance of property, voting rights and participation in moulding the nation. However, we have \u201cmiles to go\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The <\/span>\u2018legacy\u2019 we have acquired from our ancestors is the major cause of<\/strong> gender<\/strong> bias existing today. It is our responsibility to ensure that the \u2018legacy\u2019 that we pass on to our future generation is devoid of such social menace.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

5.0<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Women in STEM:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM) encompasses the sector which directly influences growth and longevity of human society. Consequently, this sector generates continuous, large potential for well paid, job opportunities. The \u201cgender gap\u201d in STEM compared to other fields is very high, based on pattern analysis technology of 3.5 million news articles.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The main reason for the above disparity is the gender stereotyping during the formative stages, in the girl children in schools. A strong polarization of ideas is presented to the unbiased children by the society around, may be parents or friends or teachers, that certain subjects are only good for girls!!!!This attitude of society can also be understood based on the societal perception of prioritizing the future family responsibilities of the girl far more important than the career.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

During the latter stages also, it is difficult for women to continue their interest in STEM. Based on a recent UNESCO report, only 30% of women confine to research. More pathetic situation is that women trained in STEM and those who want to pursue career in STEM, are compelled to shift to social science, for practical convenience!!!<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Though most of the problems for women in STEM are same across the globe, the cause and the solutions depend heavily on the specific fabric of the society. Hence, the subsequent discussions would confine to national scenario.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

6.0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Three Stages of Women in STEM:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The progress of women in STEM goes through three stages in their life cycle: initial, middle and final stages.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

6.1 <\/em><\/strong>Initial or the Gender Stereotyping Stage : <\/em>This stage can be roughly classified as a period when the girl student makes a choice of STEM as subject of her choice up to a stage she receives basic education in STEM, ensuring a comfortable standard of life for her.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Based on admission list in Indian academicia, girl students normally prefer to choose \u2018soft\u2019 subjects in STEM. This is called the \u201cgender stereo typing\u201d. The main driving force is the \u201csocietal influence\u201d which plays a major, decisive role in the choice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Another single, major factor for gender stereo typing is the \u201cunsubstantiated\u201d belief, that girls do not do well in mathematics!!!<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Multiple approaches are required to overcome the above problem, at the root level: (1) Infrastructure must be improved to demonstrate to the \u2018society\u2019 that balance of work and family in STEM is easily achieved; (2) The society consisting of teachers parents and peers must be educated about opportunities available in STEM. (3) Arrange career guidance courses in as many schools as possible, and in many media, for the rural population (4) direct discussions with role-models in STEM, a rare entity! and (5) Employers in STEM, awaiting these young talents for absorption, should take pro-active steps to influence girl students about the future opportunities in STEM..<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

6.2 <\/em><\/strong>Middle or the Leaky Pipeline Stage: <\/em>This stage begins after basic education in STEM and proceeds from higher level of learning till reaching steady stage in the professional jobs. Figure.3. explains a schematic of the phenomenon of \u201cleaky pipe\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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Figure.3. Schematic illustration of the phenomenon of \u201cLeaky Pipeline\u201d.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

This is the most demanding stage, with associated changes in the life pattern of a woman or man, due to additional responsibilities of a family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

The major challenges for continuation of studies or job for women are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Non-availability of mechanisms for higher studies in all places for STEM, which requires access to laboratory facilities;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Absence of procedures for continuing incomplete education in one place in another place of settlement, due to marriage;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Age\/jurisdiction limits for pursuing\/continuing higher studies with a break;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Lack of easy procedures for transferability of jobs;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Lack of infrastructural support for maintaining good work-life balance ;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Definition of jobs and salary mostly based on place and attendance, rather than description of assignment and time for completion;<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Absence of provision for continuation of jobs after a break in career;<\/span><\/p>\r\n \r\n

Absence of role models in STEM, giving courage to youngsters to continue career in\u00a0<\/span>STEM\u00a0<\/span>Of late, there are two major changes in our society: technology advances and break up of \u2018joint family\u2019 system. The first change encourages replacement of \u201cDraconian\u201d system of education by modern technology based methods. The second change has introduced the change in the mindset of men, out of sheer \u2018compulsion\u2019. Many men are\u00a0<\/span>willing to voluntarily introduce the culture of \u2018equal opportunity and sharing of \u2018family workload\u2019 at the house level, without jeopardising the stability of robust family life. This \u2018dignified\u2019 attitudinal change has to be popularized and respected, by providing system support.<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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