Name of the Department: IIC Council
Date: February 9, 2021
Time and duration: 3:30 pm-4:30 pm, 1 hour
Venue: Online
Resource Person with affiliation: Dr. Rashmi Jain, Head, Department of Sociology and Director, International Cooperation Cell, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Dr. Neelima Gupta, Associate Professor, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur
Topic on which activity was organised: “Research and Innovation: Exploring Gendered Challenges”
Number of Participants: 264
Objective of the Workshop/Seminar/Activity: To explore and address issues for gender gap where women even today, are persecuted for gender biases and are under-represented in the field of scientific research, innovation, entrepreneurship and technology
Overall Report of the activity: The webinar commenced with the blessings of the Almighty. A short video by IUPAC was played to acquaint the participants about the Global Women’s Breakfast. Several excerpts from all over the world Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, etc. were shown in the video.
The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Ashok Gupta, Hon’ble Chancellor, IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur. Highlighting the achievements of the University, he marked that scientific research as a knowledge base can transform lives but barriers of gender can jeopardize the chances of societal progress. Prof. T.N. Mathur, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, IIS(Deemed to be University), Jaipur also expressed few words. According to him, gender plays an important role in conduction of research and this platform has given an opportunity to discuss about prevalent gender diversities.
The first speaker, Dr. Rashmi Jain brought attention to social issues governing gender inequality which has been a persistent feature of all modern societies and insisted on the need of mainstreaming gender in all walks of life. According to her, gendered social expectations construct women’s career choices. She also discussed the reason for such discrimination, like gender stereotype, lack of role models for women, strong male dominated culture, constant bias against women in science & technology, lack of gender support diversity in work environment. Dr. Rashmi also showed concern about prejudices against women in STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as India has 43% of women graduates in STEM but only 14% of them professionally work in the field. Emphasizing on the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP), 2020, she suggested that there is a need to inculcate scientific socialization in women since childhood. The society and government should go hand in hand for providing conducive and gender-sensitized environment to women.
The second speaker, Dr. Neelima Gupta, through her power-point presentation, beautifully showed us the inspiring journey of women in Chemistry, featuring the past, present and future of the field. She briefly explained the important role of IUPAC and GWB to encourage women in the field. The participants got acquainted with several worldwide associations of women in Chemistry like, Women in Science (Indian Academy of Science, India), Women in Science(MIT), Oxford Women in Chemistry, etc. She highlighted the remarkable journey of women receiving Nobel Prize in Chemistry since 1901, including Charpentier and Doudna who have recently received the prize in 2020. She prominently brought in notice the incredible contribution of Madam Curie who had discovered Radium and Polonium in 1898 for which she received the Nobel Prize in 1911 whose centenary acknowledgement was done in 2011 by commemorating it as the International Year of Chemistry. The speaker emphasized on the significant work done by the Indian women in Chemistry and the establishment of Chairs in the names of eminent Indian Women Scientists at Institutes across India. To name a few, Prof. Chandrima Shaha(President of Indian National Science Academy), Prof. Lakshmi Kantam Mannepalli(First Women Director, CSIR-IICT Hyderabad), Prof. H. Ila(Principal Advisory, Jubilant Discovery Centre, Bangalore), Yamuna Krishnan(Professor, University of Chicago), etc. She also threw a light on few government policies and programs like GATI, SERB-POWER, Women Scientists Scheme, etc. to provide and promote opportunities for women scientists in India.
The insightful sessions were concluded by vote of thanks, given by Dr.Pragya Sinha, Head, Department of Chemistry, IIS(Deemed to be University), Jaipur. She showed gratitude to both the speakers and all the participants.
Outcome: The role of IUPAC and GWB to encourage women in the field was explained. The participants got acquainted with several worldwide associations of women in Chemistry like, Women in Science (Indian Academy of Science, India), Women in Science(MIT), Oxford Women in Chemistry, etc. Also, government policies and programs like GATI, SERB-POWER, Women Scientists Scheme, etc. to provide and promote opportunities for women scientists in India were discussed.
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