Essay

Women in Science

Context: With India continuing to push the boundaries of scientific and technological advancement, it must ensure the full inclusion of women in this journey.

Relevance of the Topic: Mains: Essay: Women in Science- Opportunities, Challenges

Challenges faced by Women in Science

  • Limited access to quality education: In many regions, girls have limited access to quality education, especially in rural and marginalised areas.
  • Gendered societal norms: Social expectations often discourage girls from pursuing STEM education, reinforcing stereotypes about science being a male-dominated field.
  • Hiring and promotion bias: Women often face biased hiring practices. Access to high-impact research and leadership roles are often restricted, limiting career progression.
    • Matilda Effect: This concept highlights the tendency to downplay or overshadow women's scientific contributions in favour of their male colleagues.
  • Lack of role models: The absence of successful women in senior leadership roles further discourages younger women from pursuing STEM careers.
  • Harassment and discrimination: Academic and professional environments are often hostile, pushing women out of STEM fields.
  • High attrition rates: Studies show that women have higher dropout rates in STEM fields due to work-life balance issues, non-inclusive workplaces and limited institutional support.

Scenario of Indian Women in Science

  • A survey conducted across 98 institutions in India (2020-21) showed that women faculty memberscomprised only 17% of the total, with:
    • 23% in Biology 
    • 8% in Engineering
  • Women’s representation in higher-ranked institutions and senior faculty positions is alarmingly low.
  • Women are often excluded from career-enhancing opportunities like conferences, funding, and leadership roles.

Significance of retaining Women in Science: 

  • Driving innovation: Diverse teams bring multiple perspectives, leading to groundbreaking discoveries and solutions.
  • Promoting role models: Women in leadership roles can inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM. Visible role models can help break gender stereotypes and reduce dropout rates.
  • Increase Female Labour force Participation Rate (FLFPR) and contribute in achieving the ambitious target of 70% women in economic activities by 2047. 

Government Initiatives to promote Women in Science: 

  • Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI):
    • Launched in 2020 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to promote gender inclusivity in STEM fields.
    • Focuses on creating an equitable academic and professional environment for women.
  • Women in Science and Engineering - Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing (WISE-KIRAN):
    • Provides funding, mentorship, and career support to women scientists.
    • Aims to increase women’s participation in STEM through research advancement.
  • Women Scientists Scheme (WOS):
    • Offers financial support and research opportunities for women re-entering the workforce after career breaks.
    • Encourages women’s participation in academic research.
  • Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-orientation (BioCARe):
    • Launched by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to support women scientists returning to research after career breaks.
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Initiatives:
    • Promotes women’s health research and training opportunities for women scientists.
    • Ensures gender-sensitive approaches in scientific research and health-related studies.

Policy Recommendations for retaining Women in Science:

Institutional changes:

  • Introduce flexible work hours, remote working, and part-time employment options for women.
  • Provide affordable daycare facilities within institutions to support working mothers.
  • Formulate policies that help women balance work and family responsibilities.
  • Increasing visibility and representation:
    • Promote the achievements of women scientists through awards, public platforms, and media.
    • Monitor gender discrimination in hiring, funding, and promotions, ensuring equal opportunities.
    • Create pathways for women to occupy leadership and decision-making roles.
    • Supporting career re-entry:
      • Eliminate age-restrictions on research grants to accommodate women who have taken career breaks.
      • Offer fellowship programs for women returning to research after family or personal breaks.
      • Establish strong mentorship networks for women at all career stages.

Ensuring the retention of women in science will not only shape a more inclusive future but also inspire the next generation of women scientists, ultimately propelling India's scientific growth on a global scale.

Indian Constitution being Modern and Uniquely Indian

Context: The Indian constitution is unique in its ‘content’ and ‘spirit’. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the Indian Constitution as an 'open and futuristic' document that is youth-centric and has a modern vision. The arguments given below attempt to answer the ‘Indianness’ or the ‘uniqueness’ of the Indian constitution. 

Relevance of the topic:

Prelims: MCQs based on constitutional features.

Mains: Analytical question scope based on uniqueness of Indian constitution. 

How were various western constitutional elements rearranged and modified to suit Indian context?

  • Secularism: The secularism of India is a bit different from the western conception of divorce between state and religion.
    • Indian secularism is more of the “principled distance” drawn from the Indian ancient tradition of “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” that balances the uniqueness of Indian religious society and western polity ideals simultaneously. 
    • Notable related judgements include, Sabarimala Case judgement, Shirur Mutt Case 1954. 
  • Socialist feature: Unlike the Western conception of Socialism i.e., more tinged towards the concept of Communist ideology, the Indian version is slightly different.
    • The version in the Indian constitution is more tinged towards the 'Karuna’ or the compassion towards the downtrodden. 
    • Socialism in India is not only restrained to economic aspects, but extends to the social realm too. Ban on untouchability and caste system's rejection are based upon the active compassion promoted by the socio-religious reforms in India in 19th Century. 
  • Federalism: The federalism concept in India is more tinged towards the “union of states”, acknowledging the diverse culture of each state. Hence, crafting the “state-nation” rather than European style “nation-state” reflecting the old tradition of deep respect for cultural and social diversity making the Indian constitution unique in itself. Notable judgements related to federalism S.R. Bommai Case (1994). 

How are traditions, philosophies and movements of India reflected in various constitutional provisions?

  • Philosophical underpinning of Indian Constitution:
    • Dharma and Rule of law being part of the concept of rights, duties and justice. Example: Article 14 ensuring Equality before law ensures Dharma. 
    • Sarvodaya through Antyodaya as the concept of Social justice by Gandhi is reflected in Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). 
    • Ahimsa and Vasudheva Kutumbakam are reflected under Article 51 by ensuring peaceful and cooperative international relations. 
  • Traditions and Cultural Heritage:
    • Unity in diversity under Article 25-28 ensuring religious freedom and Article 29-30 ensuring linguistic and cultural rights of minorities. 
    • Tolerance and Secularism as ensured by Preamble.  
  • Influences of Socio-political movements:
    • Social reform movements under RajaRam Mohan Roy, Mahatma Phule, and B.R. Ambedkar shaped the constitutional ideals. Example Article 17 restricting untouchability. 
    • Freedom movements promoting democratic ideals being reflected in Article 326 as Universal Adult Suffrage. 
    • Gandhian movement promoting Swaraj and decentralisation of power reflected in Article 40 and 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act actualising Panchayati Raj dream. 
    • Workers’ and peasant movements advocating labour rights are reflected in Article 39 ensuring equal pay and Article 43 promoting living wages for workers. 

Conclusion: The author concludes the article with an example of ‘bread pakora’ , where an alien white bread is turned into an authentic Indian dish. In the similar fashion the Constitution of India is the testament of Indian genius that transformed the various western conceptions of polity, law and society to a pleasant version that suits India.