“It matters little whether men or women have more brains; all we women need to do to exert our proper influence is just use all the brains we have.“
American anatomist Florence Rena Sabin, who in 1925 became the first woman to be elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
For much of human history, women were officially excluded from the scientific realm. However, in spite of their invisibility in the historical scientific narrative, this does not mean that science was exclusively a man’s world. Throughout the centuries, many women have managed to overcome their marginalisation and excel in their chosen field, making vital contributions to the sum of human knowledge. Their personal struggles for recognition and the sacrifices they made for their science are moving testaments to human willpower, resourcefulness, and perseverance. Today, women are in the mainstream of science and many of the world’s top scientists are women. In fact, the face of modern science would be unrecognisable without the major contributions made by women, including more than a dozen Nobel laureates, not to mention those pioneers who missed out on the accolades and recognition their work deserved.
In India, women remain under-represented in science and in decision-making bodies concerned with scientific issues. This is both a waste of human resources and a serious obstacle for the development of the sciences and for Indian society as a whole. The legal parity with men that women now enjoy – and for which they fought for so long – has empowered them to fulfill more of their potential and enabled society to tap into the talents and abilities of this long-neglected half of society. Despite the gains that have been made, invisible glass ceilings still hinder the progress of bright women. India still underutilises women scientists in the research domain, particularly in the so-called ‘hard sciences’ and in leadership positions, and the scientific community remains male-dominated.
Problems unique to the women scientists
Often, a turning point in women’s personal and professional lives is motherhood. Since timing is the single-most important factor in balancing motherhood with a career, women have to take a complete break for a few months, and even when they go back to work, so much of their mental and physical energy is centred around their children that there is some inevitable slackening of their research drive. There are occasions when there is conflict between career demands and the needs of their children. Due to the responsibilities of motherhood, often the women have to leave their careers, and then they struggle or fail to return.
Meanwhile, a study published in 2010 showed that women scientists shoulder on average approximately twice as many household chores as their male partners and also bear more childcare responsibilities. Though the ladies face challenges like their counterparts in other professions do, traversing a male-dominated and demanding profession like research and development in India is no cakewalk.
Tessy Thomas : The torch bearer
Tessy Thomas or India`s “missile woman” and Agniputri,” as the media portrays her, is surely the most exemplary example of the excellence of Indian women in science and technology. An expert in solid system propellants that are used in Agni missiles, Dr. Tessy Thomas worked as Assistant Project Director in the successful launch of India’s longest-range nuclear-capable Agni III Interballistic missile. Tessy Thomas serves as a role model and an inspiration for women scientists to achieve their dreams and have their feet planted in both worlds successfully. Her success can be seen as a sign of emerging women power in a historically male dominated field, breaking all barriers and paving the way for many more to follow.
Tessy Thomas is an extraordinary woman; she is a homemaker as well as a “missile maker”. This lady is one of the main brains behind the new missile, whose stupendous success has propelled India into the elite group of five countries with the capability to launch a nuclear ballistic missile from a long range of over 5000 km. Working tirelessly, conquering one area after the other and making path breaking contributions in her research on guided missiles, Tessy Thomas emerged as one of the key brains in the secretive missile programme.
One of the biggest accolades for Tessy came from none other than the prime minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, when he told the Indian Science Congress in January 2012, “Ms. Thomas is an example of a woman making her mark in a traditionally male bastion and decisively breaking the glass ceiling“. Tessy Thomas was conferred the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award by President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on October 1, 2012.
Lets solve the gender issue
Women still face a lot of obstacles in science, which can be summed up using metaphors such as the glass ceiling, the sticky floor, and the glass cliff. The role of women in research excellence is still an issue, as is their low number in top positions. That is why policy changes are needed to tap women’s talents and resources to the fullest.
The number of Indian women scientists is too small, and we need to ask about the relative absence of women in science and whether we are doing enough to encourage the participation of women in science in India. There is an urgent need for policy solutions to remove gender-based disparities in science and other sectors. We have to encourage the participation and retention of Indian women scientists in science and technology, which is important for national development and the success of other programmes. We should also take note of the results of a study published last year that showed that 60 percent of nearly 2,000 Indian women PhDs in science who were surveyed were unemployed. The main reason cited was a lack of job opportunities. Only a very small number cited family reasons. This underlines the need for transparency in selection procedures at institutions and also the importance of gender equality.
Senior women scientists should be involved in taking policy decisions relating to hiring norms and should also counsel young women at all stages on their career prospects. Over the years, I have seen several women whose drive to become scientists did not get fulfilled, primarily due to early family responsibility, a lack of childcare facilities, and the absence of strong support systems at home. Support from family is essential to sustain motivation, curiosity, imagination, and desire in women. But it is also essential for women with small children to have access to good childcare facilities, provided by the organisations where they work, some flexibility in their schedule, and the support and understanding of the authorities.
It is heartening to know that according to official figures, there are up to 200 women scientists involved in India’s key weapon programmes like missiles, tanks, naval systems, and even light combat aircrafts. About 15% of scientists at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Delhi, are female. At the Indian Agriculture Research Institute’s (IARI), out of a staff and student population of 700, about 130–140 are female. More women should take up science at the school level and go on to become researchers and scientists, helping the country in various fields.
Conclusion
Women are critical to scientific organisations and businesses. There is increasing evidence that women and diversity in workplace teams and on scientific boards improve profitability and performance, and that flexible working arrangements result in benefits to the employer as well as to the individual.
This situation of gender discrimination cannot be allowed to persist. In principle, women and men are equals and hence deserve equal opportunities. But it is not just about gender equality – providing women with greater access to the scientific frontiers is good for society and the economy as a whole. India is facing numerous economic and social challenges, including increased global competition, recession, climate change, and an ageing population. These will require all of its reserves of creativity and innovation, including those of women scientists and technicians, to overcome.
As historian of science Naomi Oreskes said recently, “The question is not why there haven’t been more women in science; the question is rather why we have not heard more about them.”