STEM

The gender gap in STEM is a critical issue that continues to impede the full realization of India's potential in the global knowledge economy. Despite the notable strides in educational achievements for women, especially in STEM fields, the Indian workforce still faces significant barriers that limit the full participation and retention of women in these fields.

Women in STEM in India:

Workforce Representation:

• Global Trends: As of 2024, 28.2% of the STEM workforce worldwide is comprised of women. Countries like the UK have shown improvement in female representation (26% in 2022/23), but the growth is still gradual.

• India’s Situation: While India produces around 43% of its STEM graduates as women, only 27% of the STEM workforce comprises women. This suggests a huge loss of potential talent in the industry, especially considering India’s high output of female STEM graduates.

• Labour Force Participation: According to the PLFS 2023-24, India’s Female Labour Force Participation (FLFPR) has risen to 41.7%, primarily driven by rural women. However, urban areas still lag, with only 25.4% participation, reflecting deep structural barriers.

The Economic Opportunity:

• McKinsey's Report: The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that increasing female workforce participation by 68 million could contribute $700 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.

• World Bank: Achieving 50% female workforce participation could raise India's GDP growth by 1%. The economic argument for investing in women's participation in STEM is therefore strong and clear.

Challenges Hindering Women's STEM Careers:

1. High Attrition Rates:

   • 50% of women in tech leave their careers by mid-career, not due to a lack of ability, but because of unwelcoming workplaces, societal pressures, and limited family support. These factors create a high attrition rate, particularly in leadership roles.

2. Pay Gap:

   • Women in STEM roles often earn 20–30% less than their male counterparts. Despite equal qualifications and performance, this gender pay gap persists, undermining the economic security and motivation for women to stay in the workforce.

3. Leadership Gap:

   • Women hold less than 10% of leadership roles in Indian tech firms. This suggests that despite increasing participation, women continue to face barriers to advancement, often limited by societal expectations and workplace structures that do not promote their growth.

4. Structural Barriers:

   • Safety concerns, traditional gender roles, and a lack of career pathways in STEM fields further prevent women from accessing or staying in these industries. Social norms around work-life balance and household responsibilities often hold women back from pursuing career advancements in demanding fields like STEM.

Government-Led Initiatives and Policies:

1. National Policy Framework:

   • India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 integrates STEM with life skills training, encouraging long-term retention and supporting women’s entry into the workforce.

   • The Gender Budget has increased to 8.8% of the total budget for 2025-26, showing a strong push for gender-focused initiatives in various sectors, including STEM education and entrepreneurship.

   • Programs like Vigyan Jyoti, UDAAN, Skill India, Digital India, and PM Vishwakarma Yojana are designed to motivate school-aged girls to consider STEM pathways early on.

2. Workplace Policies for Inclusion:

   • India’s push for hybrid and remote work policies encourages a better work-life balance, making STEM careers more accessible to women, especially those with family responsibilities.

   • Companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS offer re-entry pathways for women returning after a career break, helping them transition back into the workforce.

Industry-Led Models for Inclusion:

1. Mentorship and Training:

   • Structured mentorship programs, especially in tech, are essential for women’s growth in STEM. The UN Women’s WeSTEM programme, for instance, offers training and internships for women in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, with support from the Micron Foundation. This initiative engages families and communities to shift mindsets while also introducing female role models to inspire the next generation of women in STEM.

2. Collaboration Between Industry and Academia:

   • There is a growing recognition that industry-academia partnerships are crucial for shaping future STEM professionals. Structured collaborations will ensure that women’s skills align with the needs of the rapidly evolving industry.

3. Workplace Safety and Inclusivity:

   • Gender-sensitivity workshops and workplace safety training are necessary to ensure that women feel safe and welcome in tech and other STEM fields. Encouraging safe, inclusive workplaces and addressing concerns around sexual harassment and discrimination will retain more women in the industry.

Conclusion:

Empowering women with STEM skills is not just an educational goal — it is essential for India’s national development and economic growth. The government has laid the groundwork with initiatives like Skill India, Vigyan Jyoti, and targeted gender policies, but it is the private sector and industry leaders who must lead the charge in creating a truly inclusive and welcoming ecosystem for women in STEM.

As we approach World Youth Skills Day 2025, it is crucial to recognize that skills empowerment for women in STEM will be a pivotal force in building a more inclusive economy. Every skilled woman should find a supportive environment that encourages her growth, rewards her contributions, and offers her opportunities for leadership in an increasingly digital and knowledge-driven world.