The Hindu Business Line : `Provide women scientists with flexi-timings, mid-career breaks'

IDENTIFYING the factors that prevent Indian women from opting for science careers, a committee set up by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has suggested remedial measures such as providing flexible working hours, mid-career breaks and age relaxation in recruitment in order to facilitate the study and practice of science by women.

While most of the women consciously decide to pursue science as a career option and most of them do not face any major difficulty in finding a job, major problems start after joining the job, said the study.

Over 90 per cent of the respondents opted for science out of conscious choice, with maximum encouragement coming from parents and teachers besides self-initiative, said the study.

"Only 13 per cent scientists and 10 per cent of students said they faced difficulty in finding the first job or placement. However, problems started after that. Many complained of gender insensitive organisational practices and workplace discrimination which came in way of their career growth," said the study conducted on 300 respondents.

The respondents comprised women scientists and post-graduate science students from universities as well as Government institutions.

About 36 per cent of the scientists admitted that they had denied themselves career options and 22.7 per cent said that such denial had adversely affected their career.

The regional spread for the survey was Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Akola, Shillong, Guwahati, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Aligarh, with a majority of the respondents belonging to urban Hindu families from English medium schools.

Women seem to be missing out on science, particularly physical sciences, engineering and technology, according to the study. It expresses concern on the fact that "many women, after studying science, fail to persevere with a career in science (practice science)."

While women did not ask for any special personal privileges, they did want better supportive facilities such as crèche, day care centres for elderly, part-time jobs, campus housing, which would reduce stress on them and their families. Some organisations ban husband and wife working in the same institutions and that has affected the career of many women, the study pointed out. Representation of women in policy-making as well as selection committees was also suggested.

Additionally, grievance cell for gender-related and sexual offences at the level of the institution as well as at higher level would be of help.

While the implementing agencies for most of the suggestions are for the University Grants Committee, science agencies and institutions, INSA also has some recommendations for the National Council of Educational Research and Training. In order to have gender neutralisations in science textbooks, "stereotype roles of women inside the house doing domestic work and men engaged in scientific work should not be portrayed," suggests the study.

INSA is a scientists' body that promotes scientific knowledge in India including its practical application to problems of national welfare. Its objectives include coordination among scientific academies, societies, institutions, Government scientific departments and services. It is also mandated to work for the promotion and safeguarding of interests of scientists in the country and present internationally the scientific work done in the country.

More Stories on : Science & Technology | Gender | Human Resources

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Cellular cos explore launching 64 K SIM cards

UltraTech draws up Rs 200-cr capex plan — To roll out new brand on Oct 14

Govt favours benign interest rate regime

PSU oil cos question Reliance's diesel pricing strategy

Hyundai Motor India pays parent royalty of Rs 185 cr in 2003-04

CMC Q2 net up 50 pc at Rs 12.68 cr

`Provide women scientists with flexi-timings, mid-career breaks'

Firm oil price dampens market sentiment

Bond prices take a beating — Higher cut-off at auction fuels rate worries