#IDWGS Essay - Unveiling Societal silence: Bridging the gender gap in STEM leadership by Sakshi Shah

UNVEILING SOCIETAL SILENCE: BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP IN STEM   LEADERSHIP

Breaking the glass ceiling in scientific leadership isn’t just about equality, but also about ensuring a sustainable endeavors in future and ending the quite crises. Before getting into the ways by which we can pave the way for women and girls in science leadership let’s understand the concept of STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Ever year 11th February is celebrated as International Day of women and girls in science. Here we tribute the achievements and contributions of women in Stem. This year's assembly theme, 'Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability,' underscores the essential role of women in the scientific community. The event will also highlight a subtheme, 'Think Science ... Think Peace.' This essay explores the journey from silence to empowerment of women and girls in science leadership role and its potential impact of sustainability.

Women at the Forefront of Prestigious Science Projects:

• The assembly coincides with a time when women are making significant strides in science. Women are taking the reins of prestigious science projects like Chandrayaan-3 where over 100 women helped build the systems that took India to moon. 

• In Chandrayaan-2 there was a women who played a lead role in mission like MOM, she is also known as the ‘Rocket Woman of India’, her name is Ritu Karidal. 

• Who says Science is for men? Meet the women of who has achieved success in science. Initiatives like the WISE KIRAN Scheme are creating opportunities for women scientists and technologists, offering programs that support women in pursuing research and careers in science and engineering. 

Addressing the challenges outlined in the Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as enhancing healthcare and mitigating climate change, requires the utilization of all available talent. In order to achieve this, it is imperative to increase the participation of women in these fields. The inclusion of diverse voices in research expands the pool of skilled researchers, enabling the introduction of new perspectives, talent, and innovative ideas. It is crucial to recognize that women and girls play a vital role in science and technology communities and their involvement should be bolstered. Despite the undeniable importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to the prosperity of nations, gender equality within these fields has yet to be achieved in most countries, regardless of their level of development.

Importance of women and girls in science leadership:

1. Broad spectrum of perspective: Women's diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches enhance scientific discourse and decision-making processes, thereby enriching them. By including women in leadership roles, a more comprehensive understanding of complex sustainability issues is guaranteed.

2. Tackling prejudice: By promoting women in leadership roles within the field of science, we can effectively tackle the long-standing biases and stereotypes that have hindered their involvement in STEM fields. Through the creation of inclusive spaces, we can provide women and girls with equal opportunities to excel and assume leadership positions in scientific pursuits.

3. Global effect: The global achievement of sustainable development goals heavily relies on attaining gender equality in leadership positions within the field of science. Utilizing the skills and knowledge of women and girls can expedite advancements in environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and inclusive economic development.

4. Role models: Female leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) act as prominent figures for young girls who aspire to pursue careers in these fields. By presenting accomplished women scientists and innovators, society can motivate the upcoming generation of females to join these industries and make valuable contributions towards sustainability endeavors.

5. Inventive thinking and breakthroughs: When women and girls are empowered to take on leadership roles in science, it opens up a wealth of untapped potential for fostering innovation and creativity. A diverse team, consisting of people from different backgrounds and experiences, is better equipped to generate groundbreaking ideas and provide effective solutions for addressing global sustainability issues.

Barriers and Potentials:

1. Collective action and networking: Promoting collaboration among women scientists and leaders is essential for tackling challenges and advancing sustainability objectives. Creating partnerships and networks that enable knowledge sharing, mentorship, and peer support can empower women to overcome obstacles and drive collective action. These platforms also pave the way for professional growth and advancement.

2. Pioneering progress: Despite strides made in promoting gender equality, women and girls still encounter obstacles in their pursuit of science leadership roles. These challenges can be attributed to cultural expectations, bias in the workplace, and a dearth of mentoring opportunities.

3. Legislation and advocacy: Governments, organizations, and institutions hold significant responsibility in enhancing gender diversity and inclusivity in science leadership. The implementation of policies supporting women's involvement, such as gender quotas and equal pay initiatives, can cultivate a favorable setting for advancement.

In conclusion, promoting women's and girls' involvement in science leadership is not only a matter of fairness and societal equality, but it is also crucial for the achievement of long-lasting development. By removing obstacles, encouraging diversity, and providing women and girls with the opportunity to lead, we can fully utilize their capabilities in tackling urgent environmental, social, and economic issues that our world is currently facing. Embracing gender equality in science leadership is not only a moral obligation, but it is vital for creating a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable future for everyone. Let’s take a pledge to cultivate more women leaders in future and changing the narrative that women and girls are not only good home-breaker but also an excellent contribution in furthering science and sustainability. Salute to all those women who has played a pivotal role in advancing science, waiting for a day when they will lead a mission. 

Footnote:

[1] https://www.aauw.org/resources/research/the-stem-gap/ 

[2] https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day 

[3] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ944199.pdf 

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