Indian Perspective. Gender Equity: Status, Goals and Strategies

Transcription

1 Gender Equity: Status, Goals and Strategies Indian Perspective Rohini M. Godbole Center for High Energy Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India Laxmangarh March 28, 2012

2 What will this talk contain? Some facts about participation of Women in Science in India and steps required. Information about existing efforts (in terms of policy changes). Future strategies that are necessary. To begin with a few things who am I and what are my credentials to talk about this subject.

3 About myself I am a Theoretical Particle Physicist working in the subject for 35 odd years. My work deals with theories of interactions among the fundamental constituents of matter : quarks, leptons and gluons. In particular currently I am engaged in studying theoretical aspects of the experiments being performed at the high energy frontier at the large hadron collider LHC at CERN.

4 About myself: context Women in Science (WiS) Founder chair of the WiS panel of the Indian Academy of Sciences. An invited speaker (among 9) at the first IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics held in Paris in 2001 & involved with the IUPAP group on Women in Physics since then. One of the editors of the INSA report on 'Science Career for Women in India brought out in Member of the steering group of the DST for WiS. (IUPAP: International Union of Pure and Applied Physics)

5 About myself: context WiS Co Editor (with R. Ramaswamy) of two books to encourage girls to take up Science: 1) Lilavati's Daughters : Women in Science in India (Publisher: Indian Academy of Science, 2008) 2) A Girl's Guide to Life in Science: (Publisher: Young Zubaan, 2010) Can be seen at

6 Preliminaries I speak here of experiences that I have gathered on the subject of women in science, as a 1)Student in one of the India's Institutes of Technology. 2) As a scientist working for years in a field where the dominant players the world over are men 3)As a person who for the last ten years has been concerned with the cause of WiS and have been the chair of the Indian Academy Panel for Women in Science.

7 Preliminaries (further) Begin with three anecdotes, one news paper report and one serious study : 1)When I was going to USA, 30 years ago, for doing a Ph.D. the family well wishers pointed out that it might be difficult to get me married once I have done a Ph.D and that too in the USA. All this when they were supportive/proud of me going to IIT to do M.Sc. in Physics and getting the Institute Medal by standing first in class.

8 Preliminaries (further) 2)In the US the senior class in Physics had two girls and one of them told me how she was constantly being told how doing physics was not natural for a girl and how it can hamper getting a boy friend! 3)Much later, in Europe I met a German woman (about 20 years younger than me) who after a degree in Engineering did a Ph.D. in Theoretical High Energy Physics. Was told by her professor while studying engineering that 'pedagogy' was a subject better suited for girls.

9 :Inate abilities? Western Perception: Nature: July 2006, B.Barres Scores from a mathematics test : USA

10 :Unfairness in Evaluation?: Data from a recent article in Nature Competence scores Some answers from a Study in Sweden. Are these answers same in our context? vs productivity: Sweden

11 :Inate abilities? Indian story?: There does not seem to be the problem that women are perceived as being incapable of intellectual attainment in mathematics or science (many university prize winners are women). We dont seem to have our Larry Summers But we still dont seem to be exactly inundated with women doing science!

12 :She counts really fast!: I have taken an older news item but pretty generic: Hindu August ! An article on a US study that girls outshine boys in maths..and then asking questions what is the Indian scenario? My impression: In the Indian context perhaps not so necessary to convince people that she can count really fast but rather ask the question why does she not use the ability?

13 A general statement An observation In India Generic Scientist is still largely perceived to be a male. True that of late: Engineering as a career for women now far more common than before, particularly due to IT The generic engineers and scientists shown in advertisements are beginning to be depicted as women

14 Gender & Education:Indian scenario Excellence in S&T on part of women not impossible but numbers are few. Fraction of big awards in S&T low for women, compared to their share in other areas. Look at almost all the results of the University Science Examinations in India: Girls top the list! Still not uncommon for a news paper report discussing science education to refer to the generic student as a 'he'. 'he

15 Indian scenario (further) The presence of women students in Schools and Colleges high and their level of achievement high However participation of Women in Research in Science is low, presence in high positions in academics low too There appear some serious leakages in the pipeline from college to university to scientific careers

16 :Sources for Numbers (somewhat old): 1)UGC report ( ) 2) Presentation made by RG and Shobana Narsimhan (JNCASR) for International Conference on Women in Physics, organised by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics. 3)Study by Profs. Sukhatme and Parikh 4)Study by Prof. K. Channna 5) Survey by Indian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with NIAS: What fraction of trained woman power are we losing and why? Report has been released (WiS webpage).

17 :Sources for Numbers: 6) A report brought out by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) (M. Bamji, RG, V Bal) :

18 College Education: women participation Engg. Science Total % of university science students are women; number has been increasing. The percentage in science (but not engineering) is comparable to the overall percentage.

19 Still Higher Education in India 50 One Third Science 40 Students women! 30 Drop off not after 20 M.Sc. The leaking pot 10 is not here! 0 Arts Science Eng. Und ergrad M aster's Ph.D. Med. Even at Ph.D. level # in science not too small wrt arts and medicine.

20 Engineering education: women participation Engineering/Technology with 4.16% has now gone up to about 10% 12%. Interestingly medical graduates 40 50% Women.

21 Engineering education: women participation Steep rise in intake capacity of Engineers overall: National output has increased from about 25,000 engineers in 1980 to about 200,000 in This implies that the national output of women engineers has increased approximately from 300 in 1980 to a number between 20,000 and 30,000 in BUT JEE 2006: 394 JEE 2007: 587 qualified out of 54,025 Nos. Still small compared to total nos. in IIT's. Gives us a issue to ponder over.

22 An obvious conclusion In India the participation of women in studying science or for that matter in teaching science, at all levels, is NOT LOW AT ALL. However, number of women doing science is certainly NOT commensurate with their participation in the other two aspects of scientific activity. Further it is even less when one considers decision making positions in this context.

23 Indian scenario The presence of women students in Schools and Colleges high and their level of achievement high However participation of Women in Research in Science is low, presence in high positions in academics low too There appear some serious leakages in the pipeline from college to university to scientific careers. How to remedy this?

24 :Necessary measures in Indian Context: In the Indian context the measures necessary are not so much to attract girls to science and engineering education but more to attract them to careers in science, i.e. retaining them in science. ESSENTIAL: Creating means to facilitate negotiation of a science career PROFESSIONALLY, maintaining a career family balance. Creating awareness for this not just among girls/women but also the parents, the family and colleagues at work.

25 Mentorship Two different aspects to this: Approach the young women students in science and engineering make them aware of the possibilities of a science career in research, education and enterpreneurship. Encourage them to realise the potetials of their training and conduct the science careers in a professional manner.

26 Mentorship Already for those who are in Science careers: 1] Women scientists who are mainly into science education at different levels would like to find avenues to increase their research opportunities. 2] Creating awareness among women scientists about the possible support structures, Institutional as well as personal, that can help negotiate a career successfully and professionally.

27 Mentorship 3) To mentor young students into science, make them aware of career possibilities in science research and enterpreneurship.

28 :Things that exist: Indian Women Scientists' Association, formed (1973) Indian Academy of Sciences Panel for Women in Science (WiS Panel) (2003) Department of Science and Technology Task Force for Women in Science (2005)

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30 DST TASK Force for Women in Science ( )

31 Women in Science Panel of the Indian Academy of Sciences (WiS)

32 Things academicians can do To make young girls (and society in general) aware that a career in Science is a possible career option for Women A role model programme : Books and reading material which give biographical sketches of eminent women scientists and teachers should be made available.

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36 The book has been released and is available here at the stall as well as from

37 A new book which contains a small description of the Science that the women whose stories are in the book. They also discuss future challenges in their area. Stories of 25 women.

38 Simpler things to do 2) WiS : A career in Science workshops. Idea is to hold workshops in different places: Presentations by leading women scientists about latest developments in their area of activity, to showcase the work done by women scientists, to an audience of both genders and to create an awareness on various career options available to young women scientists Information about this and more available from the Academy web page.

39 Trained scientific woman power : what fraction is lost?

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41 Survey report is ready Survey report ready and available at the WiS web page, url given earlier. Family responsibilities not the ONLY thing that hinder women from pursuing science careers.. Transparency in jobs, women friendly practices such as creche and on campus housing can go a long way

42 Survey report is ready Some of the recommendations emerging from the survey have also been suggested by various groups and committees..the survey supports it quantitatively Importantly it is the Voice of women who are not continuing in research at present..so carries more weight.

43 Mainstreaming of Gender Need for mainstreaming Gender in Science not in question.serious attention beginning to be paid 2001 onwards. Discussed in Prime Minister's talk at the National Science Congress. The INSA report and ensuing DST Task Force for Women in Science, led to a set of recommendations, Presented to the Minister of Science and Technology in July Available on WiS web page:

44 Gender Equity Goals and means Given: achieving Gender Equity a MUST. One of the possible measures: Gender Audit (mentioned by Prime Minister in his address at the Indian National Congress in 2012) Want to discuss how to set the goals for it and how to make sure we have arrived at the desired end station

45 Human Resource deployment With the increased spending on Science as envisaged by the Prime Minister in his inaugural address, one of the issues is Human Resource Development. We can not afford to then not to deploy this trained human resource. So in the case of women scientists the problem is DEPLOYMENT of TRAINED Human resource as much as its DEVELOPMENT.

46 Women's inclusion necessary One Point: Inclusion of Women in Science NECESSARY for bringing in more diversity which always improves the QUALITY of Science and Technology. Pursuit of Excellence in Science NEEDS to avoid loss due to insufficient and/or inefficient participation by women. INDIA (INC) is already active in the context. Academics needs to catch up. up

47 Leaky pipe: find out from those who have left! Survey: Conducted by WiS of Indian Academy (with NIAS) Loss of trained scientific woman power : what fraction are we losing and why? Learnt some lessons. Available from:

48 Policy changes are happening Major policy changes are being initiated. (DISHA) Also necessary to continue analysis of the situation to identify crucial policy changes. A personal remark: By and large need to provide level playing field for women! After that nothing special is required.

49 Summary: simple and immediate Simple things to implement (included in our recommendation) 1) A good creche on every campus 2)High priority to young couples for on campus housing 3)Proactive hiring policies for helping couples manage dual careers. 4)Encourage and reward excellence shown by women. 5)Improve work climate: including harassment issues.

50 Serious and long term Gender Audit: All Institutes must give on the web page information on fraction/distribution of women in faculty, students etc. One needs to set up graduated goals after determining their feasibility. The Goals need to be specific to sectors and Discipline

51 Two points 1) Lack of numerical representation is a symptom and achieving numerical targets does not mean problems are solved! Achieving the goals will be necessary but NOT sufficient. 2) The Goals need to be specific to sectors and Discipline. WHY and HOW?

52 Why sector specific? Level of women representation in different sciences very different Example: Fellowship of Science Academies in India as well as the TWAS and subject distribution of Bhatnagar Awardees.

53 Subject and gender distribution of fellowship IASc, Bangalore: Subject Women Men Percentage Total Medical % 23% Math Physics % 3% Chemistry Plant and % 15% Animal Sciences

54 Subject and gender distribution of fellowship INSA, Delhi: Subject Women Men Percentage Total Medical % 33% Math Physics % ~ 4% Chemistry < 1% Plant & Animal Science %

55 Subject and gender distribution of fellowship TWAS, Trieste: Subject Women Men Percent Total Medical % 11.3% Math Physics % < 1% Chemistry Biological % 8% Sciences

56 Subject Total Bhatnagar Awardees Women Men Percentage Division among disciplines of 14 Medical Math Physics Chemistry Eng. Biology

57 Summary The medical sciences have the highest percentage. Note that mathematics too is well represented.. COMPARABLE to biological sciences.. Interesting aspect is fraction of women entering Biological sciences is much much more than in mathematics! So one should have hoped for even higher percentages in biological sciences. BUT IS NOT. This is what I mean that the goals have to be sector specific.

58 Summary First medical graduate: Anandibai Joshi (1885) After 125 years women are equal participants in medical education, research and practice For other areas we should not have to wait for another 125 years. Learn from here. Important to collect statistics of women in science sector wise and analyse.

59 Need to continue studies Basic point is we need to continue to collect information to analyse which can then translate into policy making. A much broader level study at the National Level such as the one conducted by us at the Indian Academy of Science is necessary to understand the issues better.

60 Serious and long term Note: Some of the measures below are not unique to women only 1) Improved, transparent and well defined evaluation processes. 2)Encouraging and rewarding excellence among women at all levels. Rewards by means of extra travel grants, extra funding for research etc.

61 Serious and long term 3)Recognise women who likely to be employed below their level and consider people thus employed for special support. 4) Long term steps in improvement of work climate by gender sensitisation at all levels.

62 What is the main goal? Major aim should be creation of support structure, societal and institutional, to help negotiate a family and career balance. Even more important than providing ways to come back after a break is to remove the necessity for a break at all! Science is a way of Life..not just a job!!

63 Thank you