Research on gender parity in science and tech to be conducted

Even as the intake of female students is poor in the universities and institutes of technology, enough efforts have not been made to encourage women students to take up careers in science and technology, said officials. The research will be done by Science City Chennai under Department of Technical Education (DoTE).

A senior official from DoTE told DT Next that action research will throw light on the current situation of graduate women in the areas of education, employment and will also devise active interventions.

“The project will bring out the outcome of these interventions over a period of three years, thereby creating gender sensitivity among the policy makers and implementing machinery,” he added.

Stating that women in the areas of science and technology either studying, working or self-employed at different levels in Tamil Nadu, form the target population of this study, he said a comprehensive database will be created on the current situation of women in all areas of Science and Technology.

“This data will be used to identify the areas of gap and backwardness and evolve helpful strategies in changing the current scenario,” he said adding that the authorities will be sensitising the government, autonomous bodies, NGOs, employers and industry.

The official said that active intervention from Science City authorities and from Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology will be done to bring changes both at policy and implementation level using the data as a tool for intervention.

“In addition, awareness will be created among the women science and technology personnel towards societal programmes like health and sanitation education and similarly, knowledge will be imparted to the girls studying in colleges and Engineering institutions towards societal goals and programmes by involving them in survey and data collection,” he said.

He said an online resource directory of women in Science and Technology personnel will be launched.