{"id":1003,"date":"2022-06-20T11:46:42","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T11:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insajournal.in\/insanew\/insa4\/?page_id=1003"},"modified":"2023-06-01T14:01:14","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T08:31:14","slug":"special-publications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/insaindia.res.in\/hindi\/special-publications\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0935\u093f\u0936\u0947\u0937 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u0915\u093e\u0936\u0928"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u0935\u093f\u0936\u0947\u0937 \u092a\u094d\u0930\u0915\u093e\u0936\u0928<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u0907\u0928\u094d\u0938\u093e \u0907\u0902\u0938\u092a\u0940\u0930\u0947\u0936\u0928\u0932 \u091c\u0930\u0928\u0940 \u0911\u092b 75 \u0908\u092f\u0930\u094d\u0938<\/span><\/span>Reports, Position Paper & Policy Paper<\/span><\/span>\u0935\u093f\u091c\u0928 \u0926\u0938\u094d\u0924\u093e\u0935\u0947\u091c<\/span><\/span>\u092c\u094d\u0930\u093e\u0907\u091f \u0938\u094d\u092a\u093e\u0930\u094d\u0915\u094d\u0938<\/span><\/span>\u092d\u093e\u0930\u0924 \u0935\u093f\u091c\u094d\u091e\u093e\u0928 \u0930\u093f\u092a\u094b\u0930\u094d\u091f<\/span><\/span>Science Career For Indian Women<\/span><\/span>\u0938\u093e\u0927\u0928\u094b\u0902 \u0915\u0947 \u0935\u093f\u0915\u093e\u0938 \u0915\u0947 \u0932\u093f\u090f \u0930\u0923\u0928\u0940\u0924\u093f \u0914\u0930 \u0916\u093e\u0915\u093e<\/span><\/span><\/div>
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Micro-Nutrient security for India-Priorities for Research and Action<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>Micro-Nutrient security for India-Priorities for Research and Action<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Hazardous Metals and Minerals Pollution in India: sources, toxicity, and management<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>Hazardous Metals and Minerals Pollution in India: sources, toxicity, and management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
A Position paper on nutrition security for india issues and way forward<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>A Position paper on nutrition security for india issues and way forward<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Use of Animals in Scientific Research & Education<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>Use of Animals in Scientific Research & Education<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
India\u2019s Nuclear Energy Programme-Future Plans, Prospects and Concerns<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>India\u2019s Nuclear Energy Programme-Future Plans, Prospects and Concerns<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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About the book<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>About the Book<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
How to Procure<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>How To Procure<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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SCIENCE CAREER FOR INDIAN WOMEN:

An examination of Indian women\u2019s access to and
retention in scientific careers.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


REPORT<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n



Indian National Science Academy,
Bahadurshah Zafar Marg,
New Delhi, 110002<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acknowledgements<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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Acknowledgements
The committee is grateful to the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), particularly Prof. M.V.S. Valiathan, President, for taking up the issue of Science Career for Women and for funding the study contracted to SNDT university.
Valuable information on women studying science (university enrolments) was sourced from a recent report of the University Grants Commission (UGC), obtained through the courtesy of Professor Arun Nigvekar (Chairman, UGC). Several heads of organisations, their colleagues, some committee members, and other scientists, whose names are mentioned in the report, have helped to obtain useful information regarding women practicing science. Our thanks to all these scientists, and their colleagues, for the help given.
An electronic copy of the Greenfield report from UK was obtained through the courtesy of Sir Peter Lachman, (FNA), President of the Federation of Academies of Medical, of European Union. Dr. Carol C. Mukhopadhyay (San Jose State University) provided an electronic copy of her report on, The cultural context of gendered science: the case of India. The reports on Women engineers in India were obtained through Professor S.P. Sukhatme and Professor PP Parikh, authors of these reports. Our gratitude to these scientists for making these valuable documents available to us. The administrative support provided by Sri. A.K. Tagore and Sri. S.K. Sahni (executive secretary, INSA) is greatly appreciated.
Last but not the least, the commendable effort made by the Research Centre for Women\u2019s Studies (RCWS), SNDT women\u2019s University, in conducting the study on Factors Influencing Science Career for Indian Women (reported in chapter II,) is greatly appreciated. It has provided useful information, and insights.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Preference
Gender disparity at all levels and its adverse impact on women has become a fact of life. This is partly due to the biological role and responsibilities of women as mothers, but mostly due to the traditional mindsets, which visualise women as being child bearers and home-makers, and men as breadwinners. Yet in many invisible, un- rewarded ways women contribute significantly to the economic well-being of the family, and take on the double or triple burden of home making, work outside home and fighting male chauvinism. Among the various professional spheres, women seem to miss out more in science and technology, particularly physical sciences, agriculture and engineering fields. Those who do study science, often end up in what are considered as less challenging teaching jobs.
There is a growing realisation that by not allowing the creative talent of women from being expressed through their involvement in research and development, society is missing out, and something needs to be done to make scientific research more gender friendly.
The Indian National Science Academy constituted a committee to investigate the issue of Science Career for Women and suggest measures to increase women\u2019s participation in study and practice of science. The present report has attempted to do that. Secondary sources of data were used to get a picture of the status of Indian women in science. To make an objective analysis of the factors, which influence science career for women, a study was contracted to the Research Centre for Women\u2019s Studies, SNDT women\u2019s University, Mumbai. This is a unique study, which has relied on feedbacks from women scientists and post-graduate students, from many parts of India. Effort was also made to examine the science policy in context of women. This report summarises only salient observations. A detailed discussion of this aspect can be read in the RCWS original report.
Implementation of the recommendations made in the final chapter is possible only with collective determination and effort of several agencies like UGC, NCERT, Science funding agencies, and Academies. INSA can facilitate the process by initiating a dialogue between these agencies and organisations.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Preference<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preference
Gender disparity at all levels and its adverse impact on women has become a fact of life. This is partly due to the biological role and responsibilities of women as mothers, but mostly due to the traditional mindsets, which visualise women as being child bearers and home-makers, and men as breadwinners. Yet in many invisible, un- rewarded ways women contribute significantly to the economic well-being of the family, and take on the double or triple burden of home making, work outside home and fighting male chauvinism. Among the various professional spheres, women seem to miss out more in science and technology, particularly physical sciences, agriculture and engineering fields. Those who do study science, often end up in what are considered as less challenging teaching jobs.
There is a growing realisation that by not allowing the creative talent of women from being expressed through their involvement in research and development, society is missing out, and something needs to be done to make scientific research more gender friendly.
The Indian National Science Academy constituted a committee to investigate the issue of Science Career for Women and suggest measures to increase women\u2019s participation in study and practice of science. The present report has attempted to do that. Secondary sources of data were used to get a picture of the status of Indian women in science. To make an objective analysis of the factors, which influence science career for women, a study was contracted to the Research Centre for Women\u2019s Studies, SNDT women\u2019s University, Mumbai. This is a unique study, which has relied on feedbacks from women scientists and post-graduate students, from many parts of India. Effort was also made to examine the science policy in context of women. This report summarises only salient observations. A detailed discussion of this aspect can be read in the RCWS original report.
Implementation of the recommendations made in the final chapter is possible only with collective determination and effort of several agencies like UGC, NCERT, Science funding agencies, and Academies. INSA can facilitate the process by initiating a dialogue between these agencies and organisations.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Study and Practice of Science by Indian Women : Chapter I<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>Chapter I<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Factors Influencing Science Career for Indian Women : Chapter II<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
General Discussion and Recommendations : Chapter III<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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<\/i>Chapter III<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
References<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
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References<\/strong>
Bal V. Gendered Science. Economic and Political Weekly, 37, 5163-5167, 2002.

Bal V. Panel discussion in Nistads International conference on Women in Science: Is the glass ceiling disappearing. New Delhi, 8-10 March, 2004.

Bal V. Women scientists in India, nowhere near the glass ceiling. Aug. 7, 2004, 3647-3652.

Godbole R., Gupte N., and Rao S. Women in Physics, Meeting reports. Current Science 83: 359 \u2013361, 2002.

Islam S. I. Saudi women: Their role in science and education. (Abstract) Nistads International conference on Women in Science: Is the glass ceiling disappearing. New Delhi, 8-10 March, 2004.

Kumar N. Gender and stratification in science: an empirical study in the Indian setting. Indian Journal of Gender Studies, 8: 51-67, 2001.

Mehrotra S., and Chunawala S. State of the art: Gender Illustrations in the new science and technology text books. (Abstract) Nistads International conference on Women in Science: Is the glass ceiling disappearing. New Delhi, 8-10 March, 2004.

Mishra, L. Education of women in India (1921-1966) Macmillan and Co., Mumbai. 1966.

Mukhopadhyay C.C. The cultural context of gendered science: the case of India. Report of a study funded by the National Science Foundation, USA, 2001.

Parikh P.P. and Sukhatme S.P. Women in the engineering profession in India- The millennium Scenario-report. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India, June 2002.

Parikh P.P. and Sukhatme S.P. Women Engineers in India, May, 1992.

Peters J., Lane N., Rees T., and Gill S. SET FAIR A report on women in science, engineering and technology from Baroness Greenfield to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. U.K. November, 2002.

Sagar A. What we think as a glass ceiling is actually a glass cage- Re-examining women in medicine. Nistads International conference on Women in Science: Is the glass ceiling disappearing. New Delhi, 8-10 March, 2004.

University Grants Commission. University development in India- basic facts and figures on institutions of higher education, students enrolment, teaching staff. Report, University Grants Commission (Information & statistics Bureau, New Delhi), 1995-96 to 2000-2001.

Wenneras C. and Wold A. Nepotism and sexism in Peer-review. Nature, 387, 341-343 (1997).<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Executive Summary<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/div>
\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Executive Summary<\/strong>
All over the world, socio-economic and educational status of women is inferior to that of men. The situation is much worse in developing countries like India. Amongst the educational streams, women seem to be missing out on science, particularly physical sciences, engineering and technology. What is even more worrisome is the fact that many women after studying science, fail to persevere with a career in science (practice science), making a mockery of the educational inputs. The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) constituted a committee to examine this phenomenon and suggest corrective measures. The present report deals with the committee\u2019s findings and recommendations.
The first chapter examines the relatively current status of `Study and practice of science\u2019 by Indian women. Secondary data sourced from reports and records were used. The second, rather large chapter deals with `Factors influencing science career for Indian women\u2019. It is based on a study conducted by the Research Centre for Women\u2019s Studies, (RCWS), SNDT Women\u2019s University, Mumbai on women scientists and post graduate science students spanning over several universities, and institutions across the country. The general discussion and recommendations reported in the third chapter are based on the above studies as well as other reports from India.
Study and Practice of Science by Indian Women.<\/strong>
Unlike in the west, in India, the educational pipeline leaks most heavily at the school level. There is higher drop out of girls as compared to boys from the primary to secondary stage. Though there is an overall drop in the number of students enrolling for higher education, the proportion of females at the high school level compares well with that at the university enrolment stage, suggesting that improvement in numbers of girls entering university may be achieved by preventing the secondary school drop out rate. Presence of women in subjects like agriculture and veterinary science, besides technology and engineering is very poor. However regional differences in college enrolment exist. There is evidence of the `glass ceiling\u2019 for women in terms of opportunities for academic advancement. Thus employment opportunities and career growth for women in national laboratories and good universities are limited. Few women receive recognition through awards and academy fellowships. Bias against women leading to the much talked about `glass ceiling\u2019 does operate and needs to be addressed in practical ways.
Factors Influencing Science Career for Women<\/strong>
This sociological\/behavioural aspect was examined using structured questionnaire as well as focussed group discussions and in depth interviews with women scientists, and postgraduate science students from universities as well as government institutions. The regional spread was: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Akola, Shillong, Gauhati, Delhi, Aligarh, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Though the sample size was only about 300 (maximum responses being from Mumbai and Pune), the combination of methods used makes the findings valid.
Majority of the respondents were from urban Hindu forward- cast families, from English medium schools. Over 90% respondents opted for science out of conscious choice. Besides self-initiative, maximum encouragement came from parents followed by teachers. In the cohort examined, only 13% scientists and 10% students said they faced difficulty in finding the first job\/placement. However, problems started after that. Many complained of gender- insensitive organisational practices and work place discrimination, which came in way of their career growth. There was a strong expression, particularly in the focussed group discussions of gender-related discrimination, nepotism and sexual harassment. Many scientists (35.7%) said they had denied themselves career options and 22.7% said that such denial had adversely affected their career. It may be pointed out that these are the relatively fortunate women who had managed to combine carer in science and home. Many others would have fallen by the way side being unable to cope with the triple burden of home, work and societal prejudices including gender-related nepotism. Indeed attempt was made to interview women scientists who had to give-up career for a variety of reasons, but these women did not want to talk, the experience being very painful. In some troubled areas like the northeast, women\u2019s mobility is curtailed for reasons of safety and that has adverse impact on their productivity.
While the women did not ask for any special personal privileges, they did want better supportive facilities like cr\u00e8che, day care centre for elderly, flexible working hours, part time jobs, campus housing, etc. which would reduce stress on them and their families. Some organisations ban husband and wife working in the same institution and that has affected career of many women. Representation of women in policy- making, as well as selection committees was also suggested. Currently few women are considered suitable for being on committees.
In the present study, school students were not included. But in another very detailed study in India conducted by Mukhopadhayay, reasons for girls not opting for science, particularly physical sciences, mathematics and engineering were examined. Interestingly, no gender differences in aptitude, or natural inclination for these subjects was observed. Societal mindsets and pressures, particularly in patrifocal families, determined the ultimate preference and educational path of women.
Socio-economic pressures also play a major role in the college education for girls vs. boys. With increasing privatisation of education, this kind of pressure will increase with greater marginalisation of girls from science education. An interesting study, from Mumbai brings out sexual stereotyping in terms of gender roles depicted in the illustrations in science textbooks, published by NCERT.
Based on the data collected under the guidance of this committee and taking into account reports from other similar committees, a list of recommendations has been put together. If implemented sincerely, the Committee feels these recommendations would have significant impact on improving the status of women in science in India.
These have been grouped as :
1) Facilitating programmes that would attract more girls\/ women particularly from under-privileged classes into science, and help their retention in science career.
2) Support systems to reduce the stress on women scientists and students.
Women\u2019s presence in science is advantageous for the society at large. In addition to women bringing in a gentler, and more humane perspective to scientific research necessary for sustainable development, loss of womanpower from science is a major loss of trained resource, which can be difficult to compensate even in financial terms \u2013a point that the society and the polity should remember.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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