Women, STEM careers and a more receptive industry, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• 43% of STEM graduates in India are women, but only 27% are employed in STEM fields.
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) rose to 41.7% in 2023–24, with 47.6% in rural areas and 25.4% in urban areas.
• Bridging the gender employment gap could increase India’s GDP by up to $700 billion (McKinsey).
• Gender Budget allocation rose to 8.8% in Union Budget 2025–26, totalling ₹4.49 lakh crore.
• Government introduced new National Skill Training Institutes and loans for women entrepreneurs.
• The WeSTEM programme by UN Women builds technical skills and workplace readiness in collaboration with States and industry.
• Industry involvement is key in removing social and structural barriers in technical fields.

Detailed Insights:

• Women face workplace stereotypes such as “mechanical means masculine” and “coding isn’t for girls” which hinder their STEM careers.
• The lack of safe, inclusive, and family-supportive work environments leads to attrition among skilled women.
• NEP 2020 and Skill India aim to integrate formal education with life and vocational skills.
• Government’s focus on ITI expansion and rural technical outreach has improved access for young women.
• Policy frameworks like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and PM Vishwakarma Yojana reflect intent but require industry support.
• Private sector initiatives include mentoring, classroom-to-career programmes, and partnerships with educational institutions.
• UN Women’s WeSTEM programme addresses mindset barriers by involving families, showcasing women role models, and ensuring workplace safety.
• Women’s earning potential influences household decisions, policy debates, and workplace dynamics.

Key Concepts Involved:

• STEM: refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, key sectors driving innovation.
• Gender Budgeting:  It involves targeted fiscal planning to promote gender equality and women empowerment.
• FLFPR (Female Labour Force Participation Rate) indicates the proportion of working-age women actively engaged in the workforce.
• Vocational Skilling equips individuals with job-ready technical skills through formal and informal training.