“Do women scientists have to prove themselves more than their male counterparts?” Unequivocally, the audience of nearly 200 researchers — predominantly women — and the senior scientists exploded in agreement.
It isn’t just that women in scientific research are disproportionally low — a fact that has been attributed to the difference in aspirations of boys and girls as inculcated by society; as well as, reduced spending on a girl’s education than a boy’s.
The gender discrimination runs deeper, with scientists expressing concern that an enabling environment for women researchers was still absent in the country.
The examples of this were plenty during the ‘Women in Science’ discussion here on Wednesday, organised by Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) and the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research.
For instance, Usha Vijayaraghavan, microbiologist at the IISc., said women applying to research positions were often asked whether or not their spouse would allow them to continue the job or about the impact of child-bearing on their research.
With the “culture” here placing the burden of child upbringing on the woman, scientists at the meet said there needed to be a policy in providing support during maternity.
Scientists suggested a quota system in research projects, which would allow for greater collaboration between men and women scientists
