Trained Scientific Women Power: How Much are we Losing and Why?

etc were asked of women scientists to understand
their research and networking profiles.
Special Schemes and Fellowships:
In the recent past, several notable efforts have been
made by various agencies, institutes and
organizations to increase participation of women in
Science, through special schemes and fellowships
(e.g., DST Women Scientist
Scheme for research). The number
of women scientists aware of these
schemes and those who had
availed such opportunities, were
analyzed (Refer Appendix II, table
25 for details).
With respect to special schemes
for women, a majority of WIR
(81.4 per cent) have reported
being aware of these schemes
for women in Science.
However, only 29.5 per cent of
them have reported accessing
such schemes. A majority of the group (84 per
cent) also reported that they would like to access
such special schemes for women in Science
in the future.
Among WNR, a comparatively lower proportion
(63.7 per cent) reported being aware of special
schemes for women scientists. Among them,
only 28.6 per cent reported having taken benefit
of these schemes. A larger majority of them (86.8
per cent) however reported being interested in
accessing such schemes in the future.
A majority of WNW also were aware of special
schemes for women in Science (78.4 per cent),
but only 27 per cent of them had accessed these
schemes. With respect to accessing such schemes
in the future, 79.7 per cent reported that they
would like to do so.
The women scientists, irrespective of the
sub-group they belong to, have reported
that they would like to access the special
schemes. This is indicative of the need
for pro-active measures that will
encourage the participation of women in
Science research. Among the women
scientists who reported not wanting to
use such schemes, the most common
reason was because such schemes would
further increase the tokenism of women,
making them stand out and be singled for
special favours obtained.
Conferences and Workshops *
Note: The question was a multiple response question and the total
number of responses received exceed the actual number of
respondents.
The proportion of WIR who reported attending
conferences and workshops more than two
times a year (64.1 per cent) is higher compared
to the proportion of WNR and WNW. A majority WIR
also perceived their participation in conferences and
workshops to be similar to men’s (50.6 per cent).
With respect to reasons for attending the conferences
and workshops, the highest proportion of the
responses given by women in the group indicated
the need to learn more and to keep themselves
updated on knowledge (31.3 per cent).
Networking as an important reason for attending
the conferences and workshops (23.1 per cent)
was also reported. A higher proportion of responses
by women in this group (16.9 per cent) also showed
attending these events to showcase their work
and for visibility.
Among WNR, 50 per cent reported attending
conferences and workshops twice or more
than twice a year. The most stated response for
attending conferences and workshops by this group
was to keep themselves updated and learn
more (35.9 per cent), followed by interest in
the topic (19.5 per cent) and networking (19.2
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