India to improve women scientists count

New Delhi, July 1

India Wednesday set up a standing committee to improve women representations in scientific institutions and implement several recommendations given by a task force.

Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan said that the committee under his chairmanship with 18 members and a sub-committee will be constituted for development of women-friendly policies and practical support systems inclusive of campus housing, transport, facilities for the elderly among other things.

After an interaction with 27 senior women scientists, Chavan told reporters that efficiency of existing gender sensitive schemes will be studied and actions taken to enhance their efficiency.

“A nationwide survey of the reason for the pipeline leakage (girls not pursuing science in spite of doing well in board exams) will be commissioned. Attempts will be made to make gender audit in scientific establishments obligatory,” the minister said.

The minister said he was not “happy about the number of women scientists in the country. There are many problems. Out of 37 institutes of CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), not a single lab is headed by a woman.”

CSIR has 4,292 scientists, of whom only 703 are women. Chavan said his priority is to address the problems rather than achieving just numerical goals. “We will have special schemes to avoid under employment of women,” he added.

Last updated on Jul 1^st, 2009 at 21:11 pm IST--IANS

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