Women, STEM Careers, and a More Receptive Industry

Syllabus: GS1/Role of Women; GS2/Education; GS3/S&T

Context

• Over the last decades, the presence of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers has grown steadily.
  • However, it seems that the Indian industry is losing out by not investing in STEM careers for India’s women.

Women in STEM: Workforce Representation

• Globally, women made up about 28.2% of the STEM workforce in 2024.
  • In the UK (2022/23), women made up 26% of the STEM workforce, up from 21% in 2016.
• In India, only about 27% of the STEM workforce comprises women, despite producing  about 43% of India’s STEM graduates are women (one of the highest ratios globally).
• According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, India’s Female Labour Force Participation (FLFPR) has improved to 41.7%, driven largely by rural women (47.6%) compared to just 25.4% in urban areas.
  • It masks persistent structural barriers—especially in formal sectors like STEM — linked to safety concerns, social norms, and limited access to career pathways.
• The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that enabling 68 million more women in India’s workforce could boost GDP by $700 billion by 2025.
• The World Bank similarly finds that reaching 50% female workforce participation could raise GDP growth by 1%.

Challenges & Barriers: Missing Link in Women’s STEM Careers

• High Attrition: Nearly 50% of women in tech leave the workforce by mid-career, often due to societal pressures or inflexible work environments.
• Studies by World Bank and UNESCO affirm that women do not leave STEM due to lack of capability, but because of unwelcoming workplaces, limited family support, and deeply gendered roles.

• Pay Gap: Women in STEM roles often earn 20–30% less than male counterparts.
• Leadership Gap: Women hold fewer than 10% of leadership roles in Indian tech firms, even though they are entering the field in larger numbers.

Government-Led STEM Skilling: Toward Inclusion & Opportunity

• The
• (NEP) 2020 integrates STEM education with life skills training, supporting long-term retention.
• Revitalised Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and expanded vocational programmes are making technical education more accessible in rural areas.
• The Gender Budget has increased to 8.8% of the total budget in 2025-26, with ₹4.49 lakh crore allocated to gender-focused initiatives.
  • The Union Budget 2025-26 introduced targeted measures including term loans for women entrepreneurs, new National Skill Training Institutes, and tech-driven skilling investments.
• India’s Policy Framework: Programs such as Vigyan Jyoti, UDAAN, Skill India to Digital India, and from ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ to PM Vishwakarma Yojana motivate school-aged girls to consider STEM paths early.
• Hybrid and remote work policies encourage better work-life balance.
  • Companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS offer re-entry pathways for women after career breaks.

Promising Models of Industry Intervention

• Structured mentorship programmes, industry-academia partnerships, and on-site training initiatives are linking classrooms to careers
• One standout initiative is the UN Women’s WeSTEM programme, supported by the Micron Foundation and implemented in partnership with the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The programme:
  • Offers skills training and internships;
  • Engages families and communities to shift mindsets;
  • Conducts workplace safety workshops;
  • Introduces female STEM role models in classrooms.
  • Indian Industries need to focus these things to fully unlock India’s economic potential:
  • Collaborate with educational institutions to tailor skill development;
  • Establish mentorship networks that guide women through STEM pathways;
  • Adopt workplace policies that support life transitions and ensure safety.

Conclusion: Skills as a Catalyst for an Inclusive India

• On World Youth Skills Day 2025, there is a need to recognise that empowering women with STEM skills is not just an educational goal—it’s a national development priority. Government support has laid the groundwork. Now, industry must lead the charge by creating an ecosystem where every skilled woman finds a welcoming, rewarding, and dignified place in the workforce.

World Youth Skills Day – When: July 15 (annually), established by UNGA in 2014 – Theme for 2025: ‘Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills’ – Key Focus:Empowering youth through AI and digital skills;Bridging the digital divide, especially for marginalized communities;Promoting inclusive and ethical AI in education and training.UNESCO and UNEVOC are hosting global events in Paris and New York to explore how AI is reshaping Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems. Key Statistics – 450 million youth globally remain economically disengaged due to lack of skills. – 86% of students feel unprepared for AI-driven workplaces. – In India, over 50% of youth are not job-ready for emerging tech roles like data science and cybersecurity. – Digital exclusion affects 90% of adolescent girls in low-income countries

Source: TH