India has made significant progress in gender equality within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, surpassing many developed nations. Despite this, the underrepresentation of women in the workforce remains a notable issue. A report by EY India highlighted the positive impact of progressive policies and industry interventions in advancing women in STEM fields.
While acknowledging the advancements, the report also pointed out persistent systemic challenges hindering greater female participation in the workforce, particularly in leadership roles. It emphasized the need for comprehensive efforts to bridge the existing gender gap. Education was identified as a crucial factor in promoting women’s involvement in STEM fields, with government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Vigyan Jyoti, and the Pragati Scholarship playing a vital role in boosting female enrollment in STEM education.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in India has further underscored the importance of skill-based learning and inclusivity, setting the stage for a more diverse and competitive workforce. Various corporations have also taken steps to support female enrollment in STEM courses through dedicated scholarships under their CSR initiatives, aiming to encourage more women to pursue STEM education. Aashish Kasad, National Leader at EY India for the Chemicals and Agriculture sector, highlighted the gap between education and employment, noting that while India exceeds global averages in female STEM graduates, many women still do not transition into STEM careers.
Kasad attributed this gap to unconscious bias, workplace culture issues such as unequal pay and limited leadership opportunities, work-life balance challenges, lack of mentorship and networking, and restricted access to career progression support for women in STEM. The report referenced a 2024 LinkedIn dataset showing that women accounted for 41.2% of the overall workforce, with sectors like retail/e-commerce, healthcare, pharma, and IT leading in hiring STEM-qualified women, signaling progress in addressing gender disparities in these industries.
Corporate initiatives are increasingly providing resources like career support and mentorship programs to assist women in overcoming challenges in STEM careers and reaching their professional objectives. Kasad emphasized that promoting gender diversity in STEM could unlock substantial potential for innovation and economic growth in India. She stressed the importance of creating an inclusive environment, promoting mentorship, and challenging societal stereotypes to enhance the representation of women in STEM careers.
