THE GENDER GAP IN SCIENCE

In most of the fields of science, medicine, and technology research, men comprise more than half of the workforce, particularly at senior levels. Were women really not capable, or the patriarchal society never wanted women to step out of their four-walled homes? Now some would say men have major contributions in technology and inventions, so STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) sphere is just for men, then that's utterly inequitable. Women were never given the same amount of opportunity as men were given. They weren't encouraged to go to universities. Women taking up professions in the science field was looked down upon even in the early twentieth century. Despite that, these female scientists broke boundaries and made important discoveries. Looking up at the examples,

1) Ada Lovelace was the first computer programmer — long before modern computers were invented

2) Marie Curie discovered the radioactive elements polonium and radium, developed techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes and became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

3) Janaki Ammal was a plant scientist; she developed several hybrid species still grown today. She also advocated for protecting the biodiversity of India.

4) Chien-Shiung Wu first scientist to confirm and later refine Enrico Fermi’s theory of radioactive beta decay. She is also known for her “Wu experiment", but sadly her critical role was overlooked and the noble prize was awarded to her male colleagues. And the list goes on.

Had women's higher education been seen as an indispensable act, more number of women would have taken part. But again some women can do miracles, breaking all social norms that pull them back. In the 1940s, when most women in India couldn't even receive basic education or think about having a career, Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha scripted history by becoming the country's first-ever woman engineer. Anandi Gopal Joshi was India's first female doctor. She was married off at the age of 9 years, another curse for girls at that time, first became a mother at 14 but her baby died due to lack of medical care and facilities. After that,

She decided to do something about healthcare in India and set an example for all other women in India to pursue their higher education.

Times have changed and all those courageous stands in history have changed society's perception towards women actively taking part in STEM today. Men and women are equally participating and flourishing together.

Numerous studies have found that women in STEM fields publish less, are paid less for their research and do not progress as far as men in their careers. Thus, for establishing a gender-neutral society, the gender pay gap area is yet to be reformed.

-Maanisa Das