Are We Doing Enough To Empower Women In STEM?

Aboli Ingle

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar once said, “The progress of a community is measured by the progress of its women.” Yet, women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Globally, they make up only 28% of the STEM workforce (World Economic Forum, 2021), with even fewer in fields like artificial intelligence, bio-engineering, robotics, and space technology. This disparity is not due to a lack of talent but rather systemic barriers in education, career opportunities, and funding. Breaking these barriers is not just about gender equality, it is essential for driving innovation, scientific advancement, and societal progress.

Challenges Women Face in STEM

Women in STEM fields worldwide continue to face multiple structural and societal challenges. Despite international efforts to close the gender gap, women are still significantly underrepresented in leadership positions, research grants and positions, and technology-driven careers. According to the World Economic Forum (2025), women constitute only 28% of the global STEM workforce, and less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. This lack of representation is amplified by implicit biases, lack of mentorship, and lower access to funding opportunities.

Furthermore, women-led startups in STEM fields receive significantly lower venture capital funding compared to men-led startups. Studies have shown that women’s research contributions are often overlooked, leading to fewer patent filings and innovations attributed to women scientists. These barriers contribute to a cycle of exclusion, where young women are discouraged from pursuing careers in STEM due to a lack of visible role models and professional support. These challenges create a cycle that needs to be broken with systemic change.

India’s Paradox: Education vs. Employment

India, with its strong emphasis on science and technology, has made progress in increasing women’s participation in STEM fields, but significant gaps remain. Women make up nearly 43% of STEM graduates in India, one of the highest percentages globally. However, their representation in the workforce drops to around 14% in research and development roles. Indian women in STEM face multiple challenges, including cultural and societal barriers that often discourage full-time careers, resulting in high dropout rates. Workplace challenges such as gender bias, inadequate support systems, lack of role models, lack of mentorship, and limited access to funding and opportunities further hinder career progression. Additionally, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, holding less than 10% of leadership positions in India’s STEM industries. Funding gaps also pose a significant obstacle, with women-led startups receiving less than 18% of total venture capital funding, limiting their entrepreneurial opportunities. Despite these challenges, initiatives such as Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions), and various CSR-backed STEM scholarships have been introduced to support women in STEM careers. However, more structured interventions and policy reforms are needed to ensure equitable access to education, research opportunities, and leadership roles.

Enhancing the Ecosystem for Women in STEM

To create an inclusive and thriving STEM ecosystem, a multi-pronged approach is needed to support both students and working professionals, along with strong grassroots advocacy efforts and community engagement.

For women in STEM education, bridging the gap early is crucial. Encouraging early exposure through hands-on learning, access to labs, resources, and mentorship programs can inspire young girls to pursue STEM careers. Stronger industry-academia collaborations can ensure that students gain practical experience through internships, apprenticeships, and industry-aligned courses. Additionally, financial support in the form of scholarships and research grants can ease the burden on women aspiring to enter STEM fields.

For women working in STEM, breaking barriers in the workplace is essential. Increasing leadership opportunities and promoting women-led research projects can help address the gender gap at higher levels. Promotion of workplace inclusivity through equal pay, flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and mentorship programs will create a more supportive environment. Furthermore, continuous upskilling, career development initiatives, and re-entry programs for women returning from career breaks can help sustain long-term participation in the workforce.

Grassroots advocacy and local community efforts can play a transformative role in supporting women in STEM. Community-driven STEM awareness programs, such as science camps, hackathons, and STEM clubs in schools, can nurture early interest. Local NGOs and advocacy groups can work to dismantle societal stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing STEM careers by conducting workshops, awareness campaigns, and mentorship initiatives. Rural and underserved communities require special attention, with mobile STEM labs and digital education platforms helping bridge the accessibility gap. Additionally, businesses and local governments can support community-led initiatives by funding skill-building programs, providing micro-grants for women-led STEM startups, and forming mentorship networks that connect professionals with aspiring students.

A notable example of grassroots advocacy in India is Vigyan Jyoti, an initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. This program focuses on encouraging girls, particularly from rural and economically weaker backgrounds, to pursue careers in STEM. By providing mentorship, hands-on training, career counseling, and scholarships, Vigyan Jyoti helps young women gain confidence and access opportunities in STEM fields. Implemented in collaboration with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), it actively works to dismantle gender stereotypes and improve accessibility for women in science and technology. Such initiatives are critical in bridging the gender gap at the grassroots level and fostering long-term participation in STEM.

Building an equitable STEM ecosystem requires collaboration among academia, industry leaders, policymakers, grassroot organisations, and corporate sponsors. By fostering a culture of support, financial backing, and career advancement, we can ensure that women in STEM not only enter the field but also thrive and lead.

The Path Forward

As rightly said by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, ‘Empowering women in STEM is not just about equality; it is about innovation, scientific advancement, and national progress.’ Bridging the gender gap in STEM is not just a necessity but a responsibility. When women are given equal opportunities to contribute and lead, we create the way for a more inclusive, innovative, and technologically advanced future.

About the author: Aboli Ingle is a Young Women Leaders in Public Policy Fellowship 2.0 (YWLPPF) fellow and Business Associate at the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH).

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.