Question : ACTIVITIES OF WOMEN SCIENTISTS

(a) whether certain women scientists, due to various circumstances, could not pursue Science and Technology activities and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the schemes in place/proposes to be evolved to help such women scientists;

(c) whether the Government is giving scholarship and research based programmes to these women scientists; and

(d) if so, the quantum of financial aid released during the last three years for the purpose and the other steps taken by the Government to encourage women scientists in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES; MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER`S OFFICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) Yes, Madam. In some cases, women scientists could not pursue Science and Technology activities due to family responsibilities.

(b) & (c): The Government has taken initiatives ‘Women Scientists Scholarship Scheme’, which is specially aimed at providing opportunities to women scientists and technologists for pursuing research in various areas of Science and Engineering. This scheme encourages women scientists, including those with break in their career. It provides a launch pad for them to return to mainstream of science and work as bench-level scientists and also take up societal activities in various fields of Science and Technology. Further, a scheme “Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-Orientation Programme” to build capacities for employed/unemployed women scientists, after a career break, so as to help them undertake independent research and development projects, has also been launched.

(d) The total amount of Rs. 124 crore has been spent during in the last three years on Women Scientists Programme. Training programme on leadership and career development, to provide avenues for capacity building, knowledge and skill enhancement, has also been taken up to benefit women scientists and technologists.