Topic: Role of women and women’s organization, Social empowerment
1. Gender imbalance is one of the primary concerns that the science policy 2020 must focus to root out. Comment. (250 words)
Reference: Financial Express
Why the question:
The article explains how the new science and technology policy that is expected in December will place significant weight on the hiring of women in STEM positions and support policy for them at institutes and research organisations.
Key Demand of the question:
Discuss the need to address the gender imbalance in the science policy and suggest measures to address it.
Directive:
Comment– here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the background of the question.
Body:
Present the scenario of science policy in the country. Start by explaining what the key concerns in the policy are.
Explain how new science and technology policy will place significant weight on the hiring of women in STEM positions and support policy for them at institutes and research organisations. The move is aimed at improving women’s representation in STEM employment. Despite having one of the best showings globally on women’s representation in undergraduate science education, just 13.9% of the total of 280,000 researchers holding STEM jobs in India is women, a 2019 analysis by Unesco shows. Contrast this with China, where women account for nearly 40% of the total pool of researchers.
Suggest what measures should be taken to ensure good balance in the policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with need to ensure gender balance in the policy.
