Female representation in STEM highest in India, workforce participation lags: Report

Even though India has outpaced many developed countries in terms of gender equality in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics STEM education the lesser participation of women in the workforce remains a concern according to a reportThe report by EY India highlighted progressive policies and industry interventions that led to the advancement of women in STEM fieldsHowever it also highlighted systemic challenges that continue to affect higher numbers in the workforce especially in leadership positions It called for multifaceted efforts to bridge the gender gapCiting education as the cornerstone for womenrsquos rise in STEM education the report mentioned the vital role of government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Vigyan Jyoti and the Pragati Scholarship in increasing female enrollment in STEM educationldquoIndiarsquos National Education Policy NEP 2020 has further emphasised skillbased learning and inclusivity laying the groundwork for a more diverse and competitive workforce Several corporates have also supported female enrollment in STEM courses through earmarked scholarships under their CSR programmes to encourage more women to pursue STEM coursesrdquo Aashish Kasad Partner and India Region Diversity and Inclusiveness Business Sponsor EY IndialdquoAs a result India now exceeds global averages in female STEM graduates However there remains a stark gap between education and employment with many women not transitioning into STEM careersrdquo she addedKasad attributed the STEM gap to ldquounconscious bias and workplace culture where women in STEM face unequal pay and limited leadership opportunities worklife balance pressures lack of mentorship and networking and restricted access to crucial career progression supportrdquoThe report cited the 2024 LinkedIn dataset where women represented 412 per cent of the overall workforce with sectors such as retailecommerce healthcare pharma and IT leading the way in hiring STEMqualified women It pointed to a positive momentum toward bridging gender disparities in these industriesThe report noted that many corporateled initiatives are now providing resources offering career support and mentorship programmes helping women navigate challenges in STEM careers and achieve professional goalsldquoAddressing gender diversity in STEM can unlock immense potential for innovation and economic growth for the countryrdquo said KasadShe added that fostering an inclusive environment encouraging mentorship and challenging societal stereotypes can be crucial to boost the share of women in STEM careers in IndiaKasad called for ldquocontinued efforts in policymaking corporate leadership and societal transformationrdquo to help shape the future of STEM careers for womenThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever