Rao for ‘scientific temper’ in women Women Science Congress Inaugurated at KIIT

Rao for ‘scientific temper’ in women
Women Science Congress Inaugurated at KIIT

Bhubaneswar : Indian ambassador to USA Dr Nirupama Rao stressed on women education and women’s participation in science and technology for the growth of the nation. Inaugurating the Women’s Science Congress, a part of 99th Indian Science Congress here at KIIT Stadium she said, “You educate a woman and she will educate a family.”

The Indian diplomat appealed to the society for greater involvement of women in the social sphere of life. “No society can claim to be a part of modern civilisation unless it provides an enabling environment for empowering women and give them equal opportunity,” she said.

Expressing her concern over the fact that the number of women scientists in our country was still minuscule Dr Rao questioned, “Is it because of the institutions to which they belong that discourage their involvement in science?”

Further asking why science streams remain largely male dominated and why there are very few women in national science academies or in decision-making positions in science establishments, the 1973 batch IFS officer advocated for greater presence of women in high-profile institutions of science and technology.

Quoting well-known scientist M S Swaminathan, she prescribed mid-career opportunities for women scientists who quit profession immediately after marriage and self-employment opportunities for women in the ever-expanding field.

Maintaining that the Indian society had always celebrated the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge for the advancement of human kind, she quoted former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as saying, “Our founding fathers recognised the need for promoting the scientific temper and the crucial role of science and technology in creating a modern and vibrant India”

In a personal note Dr Rao added, “My mother was a fountain of knowledge. She was the one who contextualised the story of Madame Curie for me when I was young. I read the Curie biography for the first time.”   

Speaking on the occasion Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development Dr D. Purandeswari said women's empowerment cannot be complete without their equitable participation in science and technology as they have special role to play. “Given a scope they can bring a wave of creative and generative energy in the field of science and technology,” she opined.

“Today their participation is restricted and limited because of widespread discrimination at the basic education levels and lack of opportunities for pursuing higher studies. In order to expedite the process of development and take our country towards new heights of excellence, it is essential that we take to a process of massive application of science and technology in the realm of womankind,” she pointed out.

Talking on "Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation - Role of women", she hoped it would arrive at meaningful conclusions which could provide appropriate inputs for policy prescriptions in the realm of human progress and growth through the application of science and scientific methods for correcting gender disparity.

The Union minister underlined that India's contribution to the global women's development has been rich, diverse and in many ways unique. “Though the efforts to promote greater equality between men and women can contribute to the overall development of human society, yet despite this highline consciousness and greater awareness of the role of women, no society treats its women as well as its men. Consequently women continue to suffer from diverse deprivations,” she told.

Quoting a study by International Labour Organization Dr Purandeswari said women who represent 50 percent of the world adult population, and one third of the official labour force, and perform nearly 2/3rd of the working hours, receive only one tenth of the world's income and own less than one percent of the world property.

“This gender disparity is palpably evident in the education sector which hits inclusive growth very adversely. Science and technology brings economic growth and well-being to people; not only because of the empowerment of women through science and technology, but also because of the enrichment of science and technology through women's participation. Engagement of women at the grassroot is inevitable for worldwide science and technology capacity building,” she added.

Among others Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO Dr. Gretchen Kalonji, General President, 99th ISC, Prof. Geetha Bali, General Secretary, 99th ISC, Dr. Vijay Laxmi Saxena were present.

Interpreting the challenge of greater involvement of women in science within the context of rapidly changing landscapes of science and technology, Dr. Gretchen said that the highly evolving filed of science has helped in increasing the participation of women.