Women in STEM: Empowered for tomorrow

The landscape of the STEM field is undergoing a crucial transformation. While significant contributions from women have always been present, their representation in these critical areas remains imbalanced. Fortunately, a collective effort is underway to bridge this gap and unlock the immense potential that women hold in driving innovation and shaping the future of STEM. By fostering diversity and inclusion, we can create a thriving ecosystem where women not only participate but flourish.

Dismantling stereotypes and unconscious bias

In the past, one of the primary challenges women faced in STEM was the prevalence of unconscious bias and ingrained societal stereotypes. From a young age, girls were subtly discouraged from pursuing interests traditionally associated with masculinity, like science and mathematics. We have come a long way since then and the awareness of roles has expanded significantly in the present Bharat, encompassing a wide range of disciplines such as engineering, biotechnology, environmental sciences, data analytics, and culinary sciences. In the FMCG sector, women are increasingly embracing roles in various areas such as research and development, product development, packaging design, quality control, marketing analysis, and understanding consumer behaviour.

Cultivating a supportive learning environment

Encouraging active participation and fostering a supportive learning environment are crucial for empowering women in STEM. The Indian government, for instance, has undertaken several initiatives to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields. Programs like Vigyan Jyoti aim to ignite a passion for STEM subjects amongst schoolgirls, particularly in areas with traditionally low female participation. Additionally, creating safe spaces for open discussions and fostering a culture of collaboration can also significantly boost confidence and encourage more women to actively participate in academic discussions, research projects, and allied sectors. 

Bridging the gap: From education to career

The transition from education to the professional world can be a critical juncture for women in STEM. Here, dismantling the gender pay gap and ensuring equal opportunities for career advancement are essential steps. Companies can actively work towards creating a more inclusive work environment, including implementing unconscious bias training programs for employees at all levels, promoting work-life balance initiatives that cater to the specific needs of working women, and establishing clear pathways for career progression based solely on merit and qualifications. For instance, when I joined Marico, I was proud to see over 50% of women in the R&D department, highlighting the organisation's commitment to diversity that extends beyond gender and includes persons with disabilities. One of the key reasons behind this is the constant effort of the company to create a supportive workplace environment through inclusive policies and practices such as flexible work location policy, caregiving policies, unlimited sick leaves, no attendance tracking, and a holistic well-being program. In a nutshell, the culture of trust, social security and ownership makes for a favourable ecosystem for women to reach their full potential. 

Also read: Women fuel India's tech surge, yet leadership gap persists

The ripple effect of inclusivity: A brighter future for all

Empowering women in STEM is not merely about achieving numerical equality; it is about unlocking a vast reservoir of talent and potential that has long been underutilised. According to a report by asset management firm BlackRock, companies with the most diverse workforces outperform those with the least diverse workforces by an average of 29% a year between 2013 and 2022. When women are actively involved in shaping the landscape of STEM, it leads to a wider range of perspectives and fosters a more innovative and solution-oriented approach.

As barriers continue to be dismantled and opportunities expand, women are increasingly making their mark as innovators, leaders, and change-makers. By fostering a supportive learning environment, and creating a level playing field in the workplace, we can pave the way for a future where women can continue to contribute to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in STEM. Through concentrated efforts to address systemic barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create inclusive organisations, we can build a more equitable STEM community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to meaningful progress. This will not only benefit individual women but also lead to a brighter future for society as a whole, driven by a collective effort towards true inclusion and innovation.