Women in STEM are making a big statement with their choices and scientific pursuits. And, Nandita Jayaraj and Aashima Freidog are documenting their stories on TheLifeofScience.com.
The content platform is segregated into narratives of women in science, technology, education, arts and mathematics. Other than featuring scientific breakthroughs, research and grant work, the platform also addresses gender gap, casteism, and features transgender and non-binary persons in science. The well-articulated stories are collated and written by their team comprising of women and transgender people.
I discovered Nandita and Aashima’s platform through a book they published recently which is titled ‘31 Fantastic Adventures in Science: Women Scientists of India’. It is filled with inspirational stories of a palaeontologist, molecular biologist, horticulturist, archaeologist and other women in STEM.
There have been few programs, institutes, community efforts and government initiatives to encourage more women to join. But that has not been enough. In fact a paper published by UNICEF in 2020 reimagines girls education through STEM and impressed upon the following points for success:
- Initiating communication and advocacy opportunities to change parental and community perceptions about girls in STEM education and employment
- Need for sponsoring incentivized apprenticeship schemes and offer stipendiary internships to girls and young women to enhance their transition into labour market.
- Creation of networks for women STEM professionals and large scale communication campaigns that help transform perceptions
- More sponsors for academic research for an evidence-based understanding of barriers to girls participation and achievement in STEM for advocacy.
Nandita, Aashima and their team are managing to shed light on the lives of prodigious yet unknown women, which is great for the community and inspires future aspirants. But these women’s lives and efforts will only find the limelight if we do our part in sharing and promoting them.
