Making STEM Education Accessible for Women: A call for Collective Action

Words Santhosh Kumar

Our society is witnessing a surge in the enrollment of girls in schools and colleges, with 4.1 crore students in higher education in 2023, up from 3.4 crore in 2019. However, there is still progress to be made. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2021, a significant number of girls aged 6-17 are still dropping out of school due to household chores and care work. This problem is especially acute in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), where women remain severely underrepresented. Despite being nearly half of India’s population, women occupy only a fraction of high-level positions in STEM-based organizations and universities, and face numerous barriers to entry and advancement in these domains.

Achieving true gender parity in STEM needs a holistic approach that tackles the root causes of these barriers. We need a joint commitment from both public and private sectors, starting from early childhood education all the way to higher education.

Grassroots Education: A Catalyst for Change

A better future for India depends on educating girls, especially those in rural areas, and raising the country’s literacy levels. Organisations can be powerful allies in this mission by aligning their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals with the national agenda for education and collaborating with educational institutions and organizations that focus on empowering girls. By providing financial and material support, organisations can establish scholarship programs, mentorship opportunities and educational infrastructure tailored to the specific needs of girls and women in the industry. Moreover, organisations can offer internships, apprenticeships, skill-development workshops, and exam preparation training to help girls and women gain practical, STEM-oriented knowledge and skills. Through advocacy and awareness campaigns, organisations can also highlight the value of education and STEM involvement and inspire more girls and women to pursue educational opportunities and careers in these fields.

One of the key areas where many organisations have shown commendable progress towards supporting initiatives such as building classrooms, libraries, and computer labs; providing sanitation facilities; supplying schools with essential learning materials; and training teachers effectively. These actions not only enhance the educational infrastructure but also foster a culture that motivates girls to attend school. Moreover, there is an urgent need to improve the quality of digital educational resources in rural and remote areas. With a significant rise in women enrolling in online STEM courses in the last few years, technology organizations have a unique opportunity to align their social impact initiatives with strengthening digital education for women.

The Impact of Greater Female Representation in STEM

Increasing the ratio of women in STEM has multiple benefits for society, industry, and individuals. It will contribute to accelerating social and economic development. It creates a diverse and inclusive workforce, which studies have shown to be more innovative and productive. It expands the talent pool and the range of perspectives to solve complex problems. It also provides role models and mentors for aspiring young girls who want to pursue careers in STEM.

However, the reality is that women are still underrepresented and face many barriers in STEM fields. According to UNESCO, only 35% of researchers worldwide are women. India, in particular, has one of the lowest shares of female researchers at 14%. A study in 2023 across 100 Indian universities found that only 16.6 per cent of the overall STEM faculty were women. To address this gap, the Indian government has recognised education as a key driver for gender equality and has launched several measures aimed at promoting women’s engagement in STEM. Prominent among these are the Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) and Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) programs. KIRAN aims to provide opportunities and support for women scientists and technologists to pursue research careers. GATI seeks to develop a gender equity index and a rating system for higher education and research institutions to foster a conducive environment for women in STEM.

Along with these programs to promote women education, it is crucial to probe deeper into why girls are discontinuing their schooling. For instance, according to NFHS-5, one of the reasons for this is lack of interest in studies. Hence, it is imperative for stakeholders across private, public, and social sectors to understand the underlying causes of this disinterest, comprehend students’ perceptions of education, and devise interventions to mitigate this high-risk behavior.

While strides are being made, the journey towards gender parity in science and technology remains arduous. It begins with enhancing access to basic education, followed by a targeted approach to uplift STEM outcomes. Achieving this audacious goal demands intentional, widespread efforts and a steadfast commitment to the long-term vision. Though the path ahead may be challenging, the ongoing progress signifies a hopeful trajectory towards a future where women stand not just as participants but as leaders in STEM fields.