International Day of Women and Girls in Science

• 11 Feb 2025

For Prelims: International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Department of Science and Technology, Vigyan Jyoti Programme, GATI program. 

For Mains: Representation of Women in Science and Associated Government Initiatives. 

Source: PIB 

Why in News?

The year 2025 marks the 10^th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), observed annually on 11th February.  

• This day promotes the full and equal participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

What is the Status of Women in STEM? 

• Global Scenario: 
  • Women in STEM: According to UN data, globally, women remain underrepresented in STEM education and careers, constituting only 35% of STEM graduates. 
  • Between 1901 and 2024, only 26 out of 650 Nobel laureates in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology or Medicine have been women.

• Indian Scenario: 
  • Women in Research: Government data presented in Lok Sabha (2024) shows women comprise only 18.6% of the scientific workforce. 
  • STEM Enrolment: Women constitute 43% of STEM students in higher education. 
  • Declining Representation: Their presence significantly drops at higher research levels and leadership positions in scientific institutions. 

What are India's Initiatives Related to STEM? 

• National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations 
• Vigyan Jyoti 
• Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) 
• WISE-KIRAN Scheme 

• BioCARe Fellowship:  
  • It supports women scientists in biotechnology and allied fields to build successful research careers. 
• Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) at Women’s Universities 
  • TBIs have been established at IGDTUW (Delhi), SPMVV (Tirupati), and iTBI at DTU to promote women-led innovation and gender inclusivity in entrepreneurship. 

What are the Challenges Related to Women in STEM? 

• Workforce Dropout & Societal Barriers: Women in STEM face career discontinuity due to caregiving responsibilities, rigid work policies, and re-entry challenges. Cultural stereotypes further discourage their participation, widening the gender gap in science. 
• Workplace Barriers: Gender biases, lack of mentorship, and underrepresentation in decision-making roles restrict career growth. Women face lower access to research funding and leadership positions. 
• Institutional Barriers: Lack of gender-sensitive policies such as maternity benefits, flexible work arrangements and limited gender data access hinder women's retention and equity in STEM. 

Way Forward 

• Gender-Inclusive Policies: Implement gender-sensitive hiring, leadership quotas, and research grants for women scientists. Promote flexible work policies and family support programs in scientific institutions. 
• Leadership & Mentorship: Establish mentorship networks and encourage women in leadership roles in academia, research, and policymaking. 
• Workplace Equity: Implement transparent evaluation and promotion systems to ensure equal pay and recognition for women. 
• Women Entrepreneurship: Strengthen NIDHI, BioCARe, and Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to support women-led startups in science and technology. 
• Global Collaboration: Adopt successful models from countries with higher women representation in STEM, ensuring global partnerships and exchange programs for women researchers. 

Drishti Mains Question: 

Q. Examine the factors hindering women's participation and empowerment in STEM fields in India. Propose effective policy interventions to promote gender-inclusive growth in science and technology.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Prelims

Q. Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world? (2017)

(a) World Economic Forum 

(b) UN Human Rights Council 

(c) UN Women 

(d) World Health Organization 

Ans: (a) 

Q. Two of the schemes launched by the Government of India for Women’s development are Swadhar and Swayam Siddha. As regards the difference between them, consider the following statements: (2010)

1. Swayam Siddha is meant for those in difficult circumstances such as women survivors of natural disasters or terrorism, women prisoners released from jails, mentally challenged women etc., whereas Swadhar is meant for holistic empowerment of women through Self Help Groups. 
2. Swayam Siddha is implemented through Local Self Government bodies or reputed Voluntary Organizations whereas Swadhar is implemented through the ICDS units set up in the states. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) Both 1 and 2 

(d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Ans: (d)

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Mains 

Q.1 “Empowering women is the key to control population growth”. Discuss. (2019) 

Q.2 Discuss the positive and negative effects of globalization on women in India? (2015) 

Q.3 Male membership needs to be encouraged in order to make women’s organization free from gender bias. Comment. (2013)