| TITLE | Women in STEM Education in India: A Path Toward Greater Inclusion and Innovation |
|---|---|
| ABSTRACT | STEM-based approaches create dynamic and learner-centered experiences that support long-term academic success and cognitive enrichment, highlighting the need for broader curriculum integration, teacher training, and policy-level support to maximize educational outcomes. Therefore, the present paper examines the representation of women in STEM education in India, drawing on a qualitative analysis of scholarly literature and policy frameworks. It explores the role of policy measures, academic institutions, institutional practices, and prevailing social norms in shaping these outcomes. By identifying key challenges and existing initiatives, the study seeks to enhance understanding of how inclusive educational strategies can promote women’s participation in STEM and reinforce India’s innovation-driven growth. |
| AUTHOR | Nidhi Saraswat, Rishita Agrawal, Sanshita Agrawal PGT, Dept. of Physics, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India Scholar, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| VOLUME | 13 |
| ISSUE | 1 |
| 6_Women in STEM Education in India A Path Toward Greater Inclusion and Innovation.pdf | |
| KEYWORDS | |
| References | 1. Aggarwal, R., Wakdikar, S., & Sharma, P. (2022). Women in STEM: A CSIR survey towards gender parity (p. 5). CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR). 2. Chauke, T. A. (2022). Gender differences in determinants of students’ interest in STEM education. Social Sciences, 11(11), 534. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci11110534 3. Cruz, S. M. (2025, March 3). Potential on hold: How societal barriers hinder women in STEM. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=5281677 http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5281677 4. Hamad, N. M. A., Adewusi, O. E., Unachukwu, C. C., Osawaru, B., & Chisom, O. N. (2024). A review on the innovative approaches to STEM education. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 11(1), 244–252. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0026 5. Hasim, S. M., Rosli, R., Halim, L., Capraro, M. M., & Capraro, R. M. (2022). STEM professional development activities and their impact on teacher knowledge and instructional practices. Mathematics, 10(7), 1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/math10071109 6. Mahmood, A., Huang, X., & Rehman, N. (2025). STEM education as a catalyst for career aspirations and 21st‐Century competences: Insights from teachers’ perspectives. School Science and Mathematics. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.18381 7. McCullough, L. (2020). Barriers and assistance for female leaders in academic STEM in the US. Education Sciences, 10(264). https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci10100264 8. Mqadi, G. S. (2024). Determinants of girl child education in STEM: Does gender mainstreaming matter? Asian Journal of Educational Research, 12(1), 82–94. 9. Nweje, U., Amaka, N. S., & Makai, C. C. (2025). Women in STEM: Breaking barriers and building the future. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 14(1), 202–217. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2025.14.1.0026 10. Oberai, D., Sinha, S., & Rai, S. (2023). Women in STEM: Challenges and opportunities in India (Policy Brief No. 3). IWWAGE, LEAD KREA University. 11. Pinar, F. I. L., Panergayo, A. a. E., Sagcal, R. R., Acut, D. P., Roleda, L. S., & Prudente, M. S. (2025). Fostering scientific creativity in science education through scientific problem-solving approaches and STEM contexts: a meta-analysis. Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Science Education Research, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43031-025-00137-9 12. Prebreza, R., Beqiraj, B., Prebreza, B., Krypa, A., & Krypa, M. (2024). Factors influencing the lower number of women in STEM compared to men: A case study from Kosovo. STEM Education, 5(1), 19–40. https://doi.org/10.3934/steme.2025002 13. Rahma, A. T., Nauman, J., Albawardi, A., Alyammahi, H., Fares, R., Saikia, P., Abdullahi, A. S., Suliman, A., Zou, L., & Almarzooqi, S. (2026). Factors affecting women scientists’ retention and progress in STEM fields in the UAE: A cross-sectional study. F1000Research, 13, 1539. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.155420.3 14. Rimbach-Jones, D., Harper, F. K., & Brown, C. L. (2025). Building Primary Teachers’ Capacity for Integrated STEM Education: A Case study of Programmatic Features and Structures. Education Sciences, 15(12), 1657. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15121657 15. Singh, J. K., & Singh, O. (2025). Gender disparities in STEM education in India: A comparative study of socioeconomic factors. International Education and Research Journal (IERJ), 11(07). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16735708 16. Tulsyan, A. (2025, February 11). From classrooms to careers: Women in STEM. ORF Online. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/from-classrooms-to-careers-women-in-stem 17. Zhao, T., Lin, X., & Wang, X. (2025). Breaking barriers for women in STEM: Uncovering career challenges and transformative educational strategies: A case study in architecture and related engineering fields. American Society for Engineering Education, 1–16. |
Copyright@IJARASEM