Women’s Role in Science and Technology – In the contemporary world, Science and technology play an indispensable role in our lives. The development of this sphere is directly proportional to the rapid development of society. Science and technology being an industry pre-dominated by the male gender, over the period, have witnessed the rise in the number of women stepping into the industry.
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Despite the increase in the number of women, the existing gender gap is still massive. Only around 28% of women participate in the overall workforce in science and technology.
According to the report stated by the United Nation in 2011 called: “Applying a Gender Lens to Science, Technology, and Innovations,” gender equality is one of the main components for any sector to flourish.
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Women’s Role in Science and Technology – The Status Quo
Standing in the year 2021, it is certainly alarming that there are lesser glimpses of women in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics field. Women are underrepresented in STEM occupations as well as education.
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The root cause is the patriarchal society along with various disparities. Currently, more girls have access to education. Yet, many of them are denied access to pursue careers in the STEM field. There are several things to be changed, and progress to be built to treat women as an equal gender worldwide. Education being UNESCO’s primary priority, in 2016, a decision was adopted. They wanted to encourage girls and women to pave their way in the STEM field.
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According to the heart-wrenching report provided by UNESCO in “Cracking the code: Girl’s and women’s education in STEM” globally it is established that only 35% of students in higher education in the field of STEM are women. The advancement of STEM careers is key to the future inclusive of sustainable development which induces the education 2030 agenda of UNESCO.
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Measuring Women’s Contribution in Science and Tecnology
Regardless of women’s role in the scientific revolution, their participation is often underestimated, underappreciated and less emphasized. However, they have played a significant role in the course of scientific development. Women have time and again broken the prejudice that exists in the field.
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There are several women whose contributions were instrumental in the field of science and technology. For example –
- Margaret Cavendish, an author who wrote six books about scientific matters is one of the primary figures of a woman amidst the scientific revolution. Maria Agnesi made a prominent contribution to differential calculus.
- In 1702, the astronomer Maria Winkelman became the first woman to discover a comet. She wrote the best observation of the Aurora Borealis. Even Ada Byron King, daughter of Lord Byron is the first computer programmer. She is also a prominent mathematician who is often not talked about in the field of computer science.
- Sofia Kovalveskaya’s contribution in the 1800s in astronomy and mathematics is difficult to remain unnoticed.
- From the recent history, talking about contributing to the development of science and technology, it is of sheer importance to mention the name of Grace Hopper. She holds a Ph.D. in mathematics and played the role of one of the leaders in software development. Several ideas were born out of her genius mind and put into use. Her purpose behind building new techniques was to make computer technology easily understandable by the ordinary man.
Ranging from computer algorithms to technology, women have contributed highly to the development of science and technology.
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Why We Need More Female Participation in Science and Technology?
Women have the enormous capacity for unique ideas for the betterment of this sphere. They are determined to step up their game in science and technology. There is an absolute need to focus, showcase and acknowledge the women who are doing absolute wonders in the present scenario in the STEM field. This will serve as an inspiration to the upcoming generation.
Cynthia Kenyon, truly one of the most inspirational women experiments with the hint of longer life. Jenifer Doudna invented groundbreaking technology for editing genomes. A biomedical engineer, who is taking the world of science by a storm of change in the sphere of cell science, Nina Tandon is the CEO and founder of the company EpiBone. She received accolades with the 2015 Global Thinker by Foreign Policy Magazine. Sunetra Gupta is another women wonderer in the world of science. Her area of interest revolves around infectious disease agents.
These are only a few to mention amongst many women. Women with their irreplaceable contributions are skyrocketing the development of this field.
Science and Technology – Impact on Women
The impact of science and technology on women is unmeasured and vice versa. The shift in perspective has an enormous impact that we witnessed on women. Science and technology feed the curious mind with rationality and logic. Innumerable questions play in the mind.
Women stepping into this field, have a mammoth impact on the field of science and technology. The first is the way of looking at things and the difference in their approaches. Women, for this reason always tended to try to innovate and renovate things to make it easier for the use of the public sector.
Second, Women comprise half of the world’s population, and therefore this also signifies that they are half of the population. Hence their participation in this sphere is of utmost importance. Their talent is required to develop the sector and solve problems.
Global Initiatives To Amp-up Women Participation in Science and Technology
11th of February, this day is designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015. The day is dedicated to celebrating the role of women in the field of science and technology. The purpose behind such a celebration is to bridge the existing gender gap. At the same time, it spread awareness, increases participation, and empowers women in this sector.
The International Women’s Day in Science 2021 theme was based on “women scientists at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19”. The celebration this year took place virtually in the United Nations headquarters.
Concluding Women’s Role in Science and Technology
Women in science and technology have a long way to go. The true development of science and technology will be achievable only with women’s equal involvement and diminishing the gender gap. Providing adequate resources, equal opportunities, and showcasing women leaders will serve as an encouragement to women who wants to pursue these subjects further.
Sources –
- The STEM Gap: Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
- Cracking the code: girls’ and women’s education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 11 February
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