In India, 43% of the total graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are women, which is one of the highest in the world, but only 14% become scientists, engineers, and technologists, thus creating a huge gender disparity in workspace. India ranks second in the world’s top 20 countries with the highest number of women Tech CEOs. But even with 1501 female CEOs, the rate is just 5.01% of the total 29,748 tech companies.
The under-representation of women in STEM starts from school and results from deep-rooted social discrimination, social norms, biases, and expectations as given below:

• Patriarchal conditioning: Pressures to conform to patriarchal societal norms, household responsibilities and childbirth play a major role in women backing out of advanced careers in science and technology.
• Gender stereotypes: STEM fields are often viewed as masculine. Teachers and parents often underestimate girls’ abilities to do well in subjects like mathematics starting as early as preschool.
• Dual role syndrome: Women in STEM are likely to face ‘dual role’ syndrome, wherein professional decisions are largely affected by their domestic responsibilities. For example, many women prefer to withdraw from the research field post marriage or after childbirth.
• Discrimination at the workplace: Women in STEM face gender bias in performance evaluations due to lack of women representation in leadership positions.
• Lack of supportive infrastructure: Lack of suitable workplace or education benefits like travel allowance, lodging and maternity benefits also dissuades them from pursuing careers in STEM.

Thus, in order to bridge the gap in gender inequality and improve the future of women in STEM, it will take a collective effort from the government, industry leaders, academia, and society:

• Government: The government may consider investing more in colleges specifically for women engineers so that young and bright women can start early on through internships and apprentices. Each state, particularly in rural areas, must encourage girl science students through paid internships or monthly stipends.
• Industry leaders: Companies should recruit more women to create diversity in the workplace. Measures such as the mandatory representation of women in Boards, rollout of women-centric mentoring programs, flexible or remote work setups, and providing childcare and after-school support can be taken by the management.
• Academia: It is necessary to address gender biases in learning materials. For example, biographies of women who have succeeded in male-dominated fields can alter the career aspirations of girls. Also, reinforcing academia and industry linkages will encourage young women in STEM through networking, mentorship, and skill building.
• Society: Positive parenting will help change stereotypical perceptions related to STEM subjects and inspire young girls to choose and work in this area.

Though the government has taken initiatives like Vigyan Jyoti, Knowledge Involvement Research Advancement through Nurturing (KIRAN) etc. various socio-economic hurdles need to be overcome to utilize the potential of women in STEM.