At the She Shakti 2024 event hosted by News 18 in New Delhi Monday, prominent women scientists voiced critical perspectives on gender bias and societal conditioning in STEM fields, particularly focusing on mathematics and physics.
The discussion featured insights from Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Nigar Shaji, Project Director of ISRO’s Aditya L1 Solar Mission, and Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, Director of the Indian Statistical Institute.
Dr. Subramaniam shared her personal journey, noting, “Growing up in a family of professional musicians, I was initially torn between my passion for music and my fascination with mathematics and physics.” She explained that despite societal expectations and the allure of a musical career, she was determined to pursue science.
“If I had chosen music, it would have been impossible to return to science. I had to convince myself that I could balance both, but my primary focus had to be on my calling in science,” she said.
Nigar Shaji reflected on the societal challenges she faced during her early career, stating, “Engineering was not seen as a suitable path for women during my time. My parents played a crucial role in shielding me from these stereotypes.”
She praised ISRO for its supportive environment, adding, “ISRO provided opportunities where gender barriers were minimal, but many obstacles are rooted in societal norms. It is vital for parents and educators to actively work to dismantle these barriers.”
Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay addressed the issue of ‘maths anxiety,’ arguing that it is not inherent but rather a product of social conditioning. “Mathematical ability is equally distributed among all genders. The real issue is how societal stereotypes create barriers for girls,” Bandyopadhyay said.
She suggested practical approaches to mitigate this issue, saying, “Experiential learning and integrating storytelling into math and physics education can help students connect better with these subjects.”
Bandyopadhyay also highlighted the disparities between enrollment and employment in STEM fields, noting, “While over 42% of women are enrolled in STEM programs, only 27% are employed in the field. The gap becomes more pronounced at leadership levels due to family responsibilities and institutional biases.” She advocated for institutional changes, stressing, “We need to break the fear surrounding STEM fields and promote awareness from an early age.”
Dr. Subramaniam further mentioned the ongoing gender pay gap and biases in hiring processes, stating, “At various stages from graduation to hiring, women face implicit biases that can impact their career progression. Organisations need to recognise these challenges and support women accordingly.”
She called for greater confidence in female candidates, saying, “We need to ensure that women are considered on par with their male counterparts, particularly for leadership positions in STEM.”
The speakers’ view converged on one point that despite the progress made, significant challenges remain in achieving gender equity in STEM. As Bandyopadhyay concluded, “The field of STEM is ripe for contributions from women. Intellectual capability is not determined by gender, and with the right support and opportunities, women can excel and lead in these crucial fields.”
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At SheShakti 2024, India’s leading women scientists discuss STEM equity, ‘maths anxiety’
