| Introduction: Contextual introduction. Body: Write some points related to the improvement in the participation of women in higher education and participation in the workforce. Also write some existing challenges. Conclusion: Write a way forward. |
The population of females in the world is estimated at 49.58% of the world population. The under-representation and disparity of women in higher education and participation in the workforce are results of deep-rooted social stigma, discrimination and social norms.
Improvement in the participation of women:
- 11 out of 18 divisions in the Department of Science and Technology are now headed by women, probably the largest percentage of women in leadership in any government department.
- As per 2011 census, the female literacy levels are 65.46% from 53.67% of 2001. Around 28% of participants in extramural Research & Development projects in 2018-19 were women, up from 13% in 2000-01.
- According to the ‘World Employment and Social Outlook Trends for Women’ 2018 report, more women than ever before are both educated and participating in the labour market today.
- The number of women in senior management positions in the corporate sector in India is 39%, which is higher than the global average.
- Number of women CEOs in Fortune 500 companies is 15% while female board members in the management of private enterprises have been growing from 15% (2016), to 19.7% in 2022.
Existing Challenges:
- While female enrolment has increased rapidly since the 1990s, there is still a substantial gap in upper primary and secondary schooling.
- Persistently high rates of drop-out and poor attendance of girls relative to boys. Girls also constitute a large proportion of out-of-school children.
- There are also considerable inter-state variations in gender parity.
- Some studies suggest that girls are over-represented in the government schools, demonstrating continuing son preference where boys are educated in better schools.
- According to available UNESCO data, India is at the lowest position, having only 14% female researchers working in STEM areas.
- At most STEM institutes, women occupy 20% of all professorial positions. For example, in IIT Madras only 31 out of 314 professors (10.2%).
- The number of female participants in decision-making bodies such as the board of governors or council of institutes of higher education of repute is abysmally low.
Trends suggest that though much has been done in policy terms, there are still major policy challenges to be met. Gender equality or parity will happen only when there is a change in mindset and institutions consider women as assets rather than simply a diversity rectification issue.
