A government revealed in the Rajya Sabha earlier this year that a mere 16.6 per cent of India's science researchers are women, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the scientific workforce.
Out of a total of 56,747 researchers, only 16.6 per cent are women. The Women Scientists Scheme-A (WOS-A) aims to address this gap by supporting women scientists and technologists aged 27-60 who wish to return to mainstream science. In terms of the adoption of the Women Scientists Scheme, it was noted that during 2021-22 and 2022-23, the initiative selected 172 and 199 women scientists, respectively, from a pool of 490 and 708 candidates who had applied under the Women Scientists Scheme-A (WOS-A). The scheme has seen success rates varying across states, with Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Telangana leading the way at 42.31 per cent, 54 per cent and 22 per cent respectively in 2022-23. Nationally, the overall success rate for the same stood at nationally stood at 35 per cent in 2021-22 and fell to 28.11 per cent in 2022-23.
The government's acknowledgement of the issue is evident in its implementation of specific schemes to increase female participation in science, including the Consolidation of University Research through Innovation and Excellence in Women Universities (CURIE) and the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) programs. Despite these efforts, the government admitted that India's proportion of female researchers remains notably lower than in advanced countries. As India strives for gender equality in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine), initiatives like WOS-A, CURIE, and GATI play a vital role in reshaping the landscape of science and research in the country.
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