Task Force for Women in Science

In December 2005, the Government of India set up a Task Force on Women in Science. Department of Science and Technology in the Ministry of Science and Technology was given responsibility to provide the necessary support. The Task Force had members representing different disciplines of science, institutions and different regions of the country. The mandate of the Task Force is to recommend appropriate measures to promote and encourage women to take up scientific and technological professions; to formulate a time bound plan of action for these measures; to suggest measures to motivate girls to take up S&T for higher education and develop a scientific temper and awareness; to interact with

other scientific departments/organizations on implementation of gender enabling measures; and to consider and recommend other proactive gender enabling measures to bring about greater involvement of women in science and technology.

Activities of the Task Force

The Task Force held ten meetings in different geographical parts of the country. All the meetings included a half-day interaction with local women scientists, so as to gather information, suggestions and feedback from them.

A website, www.indianwomenscientists.in, has been set up. This website will host a DireCtory of Indian Women Scientists, which will be a useful database that can be  consulted when choosing speakers for conferences, members of selection committees,etc. It will also provide an interactive forum for women scientists to network and share information.

A project has been commissioned to compile a book highlighting the achievements of prominent women scientists. This will be brought out by Dr. C. S. Lakshmi of the Sound and Picture Archives on Women (SPARROW), Mumbai. This book should serve to inspire girl students to take up science as a career.

Another project to examine portrayals of gender in school science textbooks was commissioned from Dr. Sugra Chunawalla of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education and Research, Mumbai. An adverse portrayal in such textbooks can reinforce prejudices, while a positive portrayal could encourage more girls to study science.

A National Conference showcasing women’s achievements in science and technology was held on March 8-9, 2008. This conference featured scientific talks by several Indian women scientists. The level of these talks was universally acknowledged to be very high. In addition, panel discussions concerning the issues relevant to women in science were also held. The Hon’ble Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Kapil Sibal, marked the occasion by making several important announcements concerning government incentives to promote and further the participation of women in science.

Study and Practice of Science by Indian Women – The Current Status:

Though the percentage of girls studying science in Indian universities has increased since Independence, the ideal fraction of 50% of female students has not been achieved; in fact there is evidence that the percentage has plateaued off at a lower level

The percentage of girls studying engineering is even lower than in basic science. The situation in the IITs is particularly dismal.

Some parts of the country appear to be lagging behind. Gross regional disparities are evident, greater effort is needed here to increase the percentage of girls studying science.

There is a drastic drop in the percentage of women, from the doctoral level to the scientist/faculty position suggesting a bottleneck at the employment stage, due to recruitment procedures and family responsibilities. Focused efforts are needed to identify the sources of this precipitous drop, and counteract them.

Another striking observation is the major paucity of women at the senior most administrative and policy making positions in the scientific institutions.

Summary of Recommendations Fostering and Supporting Women Resources in S&T

Rules and guidelines for a time bound recruitment target system (RTS) for increasing the proportion of women scientists recruited in institution per year must be put in place.

The unwritten barriers on employment of husband and wife in the same  institution should be addressed proactively and broken.

A directive regarding code of ethics to be followed while asking questions to women candidates in search/selection/hiring committees to be enforced.

n case provision for part time jobs is made or they are available, they should be first offered to women desiring the same.

Enabling Measures for Career Advancement and Re-entry

Enhancing opportunities for women who have highest qualifications in

science, but are unable to do research because of circumstances

Rules that do not allow scientists to work beyond 5 years in projecpositions should be re-looked and modified.

Refresher Training & mentorship programme for women scientists who would like to re-enter R&D careers after a career break.

Further relaxation in eligibility criteria regarding age of recruitment for highly qualified women should be examined.

Women’s presence in all government sponsored conferences/ workshops should be positively ouraged and % for participation to be made mandatory.

Support Related Issues at Work Place

Financial support for improvement of overall generic facilities such as  crèches, toilets, campus housing & safe transportation.

Compliance of the Supreme Court guidelines to prevent and redress sexual harassment at the workplace to be made mandatory.

Notifying the procedure to handle complaints of harassment by women scientists against the heads of the institutions.

Rules on provision for air travel even for women who are not eligible, particularly in difficult/far-flung/isolated areas should be formulated.

Measures to Attract Girls into Science career

Supporting summer/winter science camps for girls who have opted for Science

Initiating a well planned role model programme with successful women scientists both through the visual media and by personal interactions.

A special fellowship scheme for girls who get top positions  of examinations conducted by universities.

Safe hostel accommodation for girls in towns and cities.

Setting up free/subsidised residential science schools for girls in class IX to XII in smaller places.

Outreach programme during scientific conferences for local school or college students.

Outreach programme during scientific conferences for local school or college students.

Outreach programme during scientific conferences for local school or college students.

Educational Reforms

Effort should be made so that girls in schools are encouraged to take up

further studies in science.

The representation of girls and women in science text books in school is

uninspiring, underplayed and needs a re-look.

New Policies, Rules and Initiatives

National level Gender-segregated data collection, annual up gradation and

processes monitoring to be initiated involving all the stake holders.

Institute transformation award to be instituted for those institutes that move

towards a gender enabling environment.

Concept of ‘maternity leave’ needs to be broadened to special leave.

Salary-linked child-care allowance in the absence of crèche on campus.

A gender Unit to be set up as a part of all the State Council for Science,

Technology and Environment.

Establishment/augmentation of infrastructure of women’s universities

especially in those states where statistics shows less than 30% women

students in the science stream.

Development of avenues to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment

for women scientists.

for more

Women in Science : full text of Task Force Report: Task Force Final Report