With women having to bear the burden of unsustainable development, there is an imminent need to have more women in science in search of solutions, said Rajeswari S. Raina, professor at Shiv Nadar University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, who was awarded the 15th annual TN Khoshoo Memorial Award on Monday.
“Given the risks, uncertainty and ignorance that confronts sustainability, more women are needed in science,” she said.
“We need ‘science that makes sense together’ and not just ‘science that speaks truth to power’,” she said.
Ashoka Trust for Research and Ecology and the Environment, a non-profit research organisation, presented the award to Dr. Raina for her “holistic and interdisciplinary” approach towards agricultural research, particularly in understanding the consequences of the green revolution and its lasting damage on agriculture.
This year’s theme for the talks, which is held in memory of one of India’s foremost environmental scientists Triloki Nath Khoshoo, revolved around ‘women and sustainable development’.
Kamaljit Bawa, founder president, ATREE, said the theme was a step forward in a commitment towards promoting and commitment towards promoting and encouraging women to lead interdisciplinary scientific research.
“There is a need to include women in conversation and finding solutions for what primarily remains as women’s burden: food,fuel and fodder,” said Jahnavi Phalkey, founding director of Science Gallery, Bengaluru. Similarly, Pronita Saxena, who founded Citizengage, a waste management firm in the city, said that while women were involved in micro-decisions, they needed to be included in macro-decisions of governance.
“Women’s participation at the highest level of knowledge generation and decision making is a pre-condition for sustainable development,” summed up Kartik Shanker, Director of ATREE.
Published - November 19, 2018 11:47 pm IST
