Table of Contents

Inequality in science:

Gender disparity in science

(Relevant for General Studies Paper Prelims/Mains)

Inequality in science: Gender disparity in science

Recently, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) unveiled the list of recipients for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for 2022. Notably, no female scientists were selected for the SSB Awards in 2022.

This prestigious award is well-known for its significant impact on the recipients’ scientific careers and the enhanced reputation it bestows upon their respective institutions. However, it has faced criticism due to its consistent failure to acknowledge and honour the achievements of women scientists. Despite its stature in the scientific community, the prize has repeatedly overlooked the contributions made by female scientists.

The historical gender imbalance in the prize’s recipients underscores the ongoing obstacles and biases that women encounter in the field of science. It emphasizes the urgent need for increased efforts to promote gender equality and diversity in the recognition of scientific achievements.

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize

The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards are the highest multidisciplinary science awards in India. They are named after Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founder and director of the CSIR, who was also a renowned chemist and visionary.

The prize is awarded annually to a select group of scientists, under the age of 45 years, emphasizing the recognition of young and promising talent in the field of science.

Multiple Domains: The prizes are distributed across seven distinct domains of science, which include physical, chemical, biological, medical, engineering, mathematics, and atmospheric sciences.

Criticism against SSB Awards

Gender Disparity: The SSB Prize faces a glaring gender disparity issue, as the most recent batch of winners in both 2021 and 2022 exclusively comprised male scientists. This highlights the ongoing underrepresentation of women in this award category.
The fact that women make up only about 14% of India’s working scientists underscores a significant gender imbalance within the realm of science.
Absence of Female Awardees: In the past two years, despite recognizing numerous scientists for their exceptional contributions, the CSIR has failed to identify a single woman scientist who has made a sufficiently noteworthy impact in the field of science and technology.
Inclusivity in the Field: Out of nearly 600 SSB prizes awarded, only 19 have gone to women scientists, underscoring a long-standing historical gender disparity in the award’s history.
This continuous lack of acknowledgment for women’s contributions in science raises concerns about inclusivity and gender equality within the scientific community.
Transparency Concerns: The composition of the Advisory Committee responsible for selecting SSB Award recipients has traditionally been shrouded in secrecy, rendering it impervious to public accountability and scrutiny.
This lack of transparency can further perpetuate biases and impede efforts to address gender disparities.
Nominations by Predominantly Male Figures: To qualify for the award, a scientist must be nominated by individuals holding influential positions, including vice-chancellors, directors, academy presidents, deans, CSIR governing body members, and past winners.
It is worth noting that a significant majority of these nominators are male, potentially introducing bias against nominating their female colleagues.

Causes of the Underrepresentation of Women in Science

Societal Stereotypes and Biases: Ingrained stereotypes and biases linked to male-dominated scientific domains can dissuade women from embarking on careers in these fields. These biases may manifest as subtle prejudices in the processes of hiring, promotion, and recognition.
Lack of Accountability: Despite heightened discussions, there is a noticeable absence of individuals or institutions willing to assume responsibility for the challenges and biases that obstruct the progress of women scientists. This highlights a gap between acknowledging the issues and implementing concrete solutions.
Intersectional Challenges: Gender disparities in the realm of science are frequently compounded by other forms of discrimination, such as ageism, casteism, and sexism. The interplay of these multiple layers of bias can erect formidable obstacles for women scientists.
Workplace Discrimination: Discrimination, including harassment and unequal treatment, continues to pose a significant hurdle for women in scientific fields. This unwelcoming environment can deter women from pursuing and remaining in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
Unequal Access to Resources: Women may encounter restricted access to research funding, laboratory resources, and networking opportunities compared to their male counterparts. This inequality can impact their career advancement and recognition.

Steps Taken by the CSIR to Promote Women’s Participation

CSIR, recognized as India’s largest research and development organization, employs a substantial workforce of scientists. Given its scale and influence, CSIR bears a significant responsibility in addressing the issue of gender underrepresentation in the field of science and advocating for gender diversity.
Appointment of the First Woman Chief: The appointment of N. Kalaiselvi as its chief in 2022, marking her as the first woman to hold this esteemed position, stands as a noteworthy milestone in the promotion of women’s leadership within the realms of science and research organizations.
Gender Parity Survey: The fact that CSIR conducted a gender parity survey in 2022 reflects a commitment to gaining insights into the extent of gender disparities present within the organization.

What can be done?

Importance of Recognition: Recognizing the significance of women’s presence in scientific roles, the ongoing challenge is to ensure that their contributions receive equitable recognition and appreciation. This underscores the necessity of addressing biases and obstacles that could impede the career progress and acknowledgment of women in the scientific community.

Networking and Collaboration: Establish platforms and networks that foster collaboration and the sharing of knowledge among female scientists. Promote their active involvement in both national and international scientific communities.

Educational Reform: Improve access to quality STEM education for girls and women across all educational levels, starting from primary education. This includes implementing programs and scholarships designed to motivate girls to pursue science-related subjects.

Realizing Multifaceted Importance of Greater Representation: The representation of women in science and technology holds immense significance in shaping inclusive and sustainable societies. Gender equality is not solely an ethical imperative but also a key business priority. Organizations with more diverse executive teams tend to achieve higher profits and enhanced innovation capabilities.

Equal participation of women is required for inclusive development. Equal participation in scientific field by women would not only enhance scope in this Field, but also provide opportunities for more development of opportunities for women.

Reference The Hindu

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. What is the significance of the gender disparity in the recipients of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize?
Answer: The gender disparity in the SSB Prize highlights systemic biases against women in the field of science in India, limiting opportunities for female scientists and tarnishing the prize’s credibility as a measure of excellence.

Q2. How does the lack of transparency in the selection process for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize exacerbate gender disparities?
Answer: The lack of transparency in the selection process makes it difficult to scrutinize potential biases, further perpetuating gender disparities in the awarding of the prize.

Q3. Explain the role of societal stereotypes in deterring women from careers in science?
Answer: Societal stereotypes propagate the notion that science is a male-dominated field, discouraging women from entering or staying in STEM careers.

Q4. What steps has the CSIR taken to address gender disparity within its organization?
Answer: The CSIR appointed N. Kalaiselvi as its first female chief in 2022 and conducted a gender parity survey, signaling a commitment to addressing gender disparity.

Q5. How can educational reform improve the representation of women in science?
Answer: Educational reform that includes quality STEM education for girls, along with specialized programs and scholarships, can motivate more females to enter and remain in scientific fields.

Q6. How does intersectional discrimination compound the challenges faced by women in science?
Answer: Intersectional discrimination layers gender bias with other forms of bias like ageism, casteism, and sexism, creating a more complex set of barriers for women in science.

Q7. Why is the equal participation of women in science not just an ethical imperative but also a business priority?
Answer: Equal participation of women enhances organizational diversity, leading to increased innovation and higher profits, thus making it a business imperative as well.

GS Related Practices Questions…

Gender disparity, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, Women in Science, Indian science awards, CSIR, gender equality, gender bias, STEM, science in India, diversity in science, women scientists, SSB Awards

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