Biju Dharamapalan, Navneeth Kumar Gupta
Over the years, a considerable gender disparity has persisted at all levels of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) disciplines worldwide. Although women’s participation in higher education has increased substantially, they remain underrepresented in STEMM fields. Gender equality has always been a top priority for the United Nations. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will contribute significantly to global economic development and achieving all of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals and targets. Women have significantly contributed to science throughout history and performed groundbreaking research globally. Several of them, such as Marie Curie, Ada Lovelace, and Rosalind Franklin, are well-known. Several others did commendable research in varied fields like space research, wildlife, and palaeontology mostly considered a male domain area but not as well-known. Despite their outstanding achievements, studies have shown that women in STEMM fields do not move as far in their jobs as males. The participation of women in STEMM fields is influenced by many factors, including their educational pathways and social considerations, such as beginning families, employment and family situations.
Indian women have also made significant contributions to the world of science despite societal odds. Being a conservative society, Indian women faced lots of problems in the research community and family. Even those who became successful in science has either fought rigorously for their rights to follow their passion. There are very few who receive support from their parents or husbands. Unfortunately, even in this 21st century, women are considered a means of producing progenies in many families. Many women have to compromise for their passion for maintaining their family intact. Understanding how our successful ladies overcome their travails will inspire the younger generation to climb the ladders of science.Several of the pioneering women in science today have set the standard for decades. Due to their unwavering dedication, sheer determination, and courage, they have gained the world’s respect; many have given up their happiness to further the advancement of science .
In this background, the book Vigyan Vidushi – 75 Women Trailblazers of Science, published by Vigyan Prasar, gains significance. The book will not only act as a historical document on Women in Indian science but also as a guide for younger ladies to tackle the issues they may face in their science profession. The title aptly named ‘Vigyan Vidushi’ taken from the Hindi word’Vigyan’, which means science, and Vidushi, which means learned and knowledgeable women, conveys the essence of the content.This book honours various women scientists who made significant contributions to the development of their country from pre-independent era to the post -independent era. Vigyan Vidhushi provides information about the works of 75 great Indian women scientists including the legends like Janaki Ammal,Kamala Bhagvat Sohonie,Bibha, Asima Chatterjee ,Anna Mani ,Rajeswari Chatterjee, Debala Mitra , Purnima Sinha and others. It also highlights 35 ‘Future Hopes’ women scientists who are born in this century and will take country forward to the next century. It is a riveting story of the lives and struggles of women in science. It’s a story about ladies who don’t give up in the face of adversity.
Vigyan Vidushi is an effort to highlight the lives of women scientists who have championed the cause of science and are pioneers in various ways. They followed their passion by choosing a career path that was traditionally reserved for men, going to school in a field where they were outnumbered by men, relocating to a different country, or studying a field like engineering or medicine. The book is an unprecedented compilation of personal narratives.
Several of these women’s stories begin in the unique times of British rule, when advanced education was reserved for the elite and primarily men. The pursuit of knowledge has never been bestowed on any gender. It is important to remember that even in the pre-independence era, girls’ access to school was severely limited by backwards social and cultural practices. As a result, it is important to honour the contributions of women educators and social reformers who championed the cause of female literacy. These pioneering ladies paved the way for the next generation by illuminating the path to education for girls and bringing public awareness to the importance of supporting girls’ access to education. Women’s education in India is often credited to Savitribai Phule, who with her husband Jyotiba Phule established the first girls’ school in Pune, Maharashtra, in 1848. Suniti Devi, the Maharani of Cooch Behar, and her husband founded Suniti College (1881), and the Maharani Girls’ High School in Darjeeling is another illustrious institution (1908). Sarala Ray and her sister Lady Abala Bose both advocated for the education of women; Sarala Ray founded Gokhale Memorial School in Kolkata in 1920. When Abala had her own application to Calcutta Medical College rejected, this did not dampen her enthusiasm for the cause of women’s education. They weren’t researchers or scientists, but their advocacy for girls’ education helped create the groundwork for future generations and challenge social conventions in ways that made it easier for more people to pursue careers in STEM. One notable example is that Kadambini Basu Ganguly, the first female medical school graduate in India, was accepted by the same Calcutta Medical College that had rejected Abala Bose (1883). By 2022, we will have come quite a way in our efforts to honour the achievements of clinician-scientists like Soumya Swaminathan and Gagandeep Kang, who have left permanent marks on the world.
The last 75 years of independence in India’s long history is a minuscule period. However, as a nation, we have made prodigious progress in socio-economic indicators of development such as education, science and technology. Per census data, women literacy rose from 8% in 1951 to 65% in 2011. The number of women pursuing science in higher education has increased to 50% (AISHE report, 2019-20). The last three decades have seen a moderate increase in the number of women scientists being hired at research institutions and universities. We have come a long way with women scientists leading the top S&T departments in India, winning prestigious awards and being elected to science academies in India and abroad.
Many initiatives have been initiated to recognise the role of women researchers in establishing the new India, and policymakers and the academic community have aggressively addressed concerns for women in STEMM.
Indian women scientists have covered miles in their quest for independence and equality but still, miles are left to be covered.Vigyan Vidhushi is not just another book but a reflection of how women have progressed in science and contributed to its development. In their pursit, Vidushis broke the traditional socio-cultural norms that were hurdles on their way-deciding not to marry or not have children or living separately from their husbands for the sake of careers.
The life these women scientists are a source of inspiration for young women in science and will keep inspiring generations to come. Their quest to pursue a career in science despite all odds, and their propensity to move on against all adversities would indeed inculcate confidence in young women in STEMM. They would also give them the courage not to yield or give upon the restrictive socio-cultural norms.
(The authors are science writer and columnist; and Project Officer at Vigyan Prasar, Noida respectively)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
