The document discusses the underrepresentation of women in science and engineering fields in India and provides recommendations to promote greater participation. It notes that while female literacy and primary education enrollment is increasing, retention rates decrease at higher levels. Fewer women enroll in technical fields like engineering. It also finds that the number of women in these careers decreases with higher positions and that institutional barriers like lack of basic infrastructure and safety concerns impact women. The document recommends good practices for organizations to adopt like flexible hours, childcare, gender sensitivity training, and equal compensation to promote more women in science and engineering careers in India.

1. GOOD PRACTICES TO PROMOTE WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING – THE INDIAN CONTEXT NILANJANA RAO,PRERNA SOHAL & RAHUL GABA 15 th International Conference for Women Engineers and Scientists ADELAIDE

3. WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING – SOME FACTS & FIGURES Source: Indian National Science Academy UNIVERSITY ENROLMENT OF GIRLS IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES Faculty / Year 1995-1996 2000-01 Total enrolment % Women Total enrolment % Women Arts 31,62,582 40.6 38, 75, 106 44.2 Science 12,27,359 37.0 16,70,263 39.4 Medicine 1,88,117 39.8 2,62, 753 44.0 Agriculture 40,505 14.3 50,308 17.4 Veterinary Sciences 12,340 18.0 13,588 20.9 Engineering & Technology 3,86,879 16.0 57,664 21.5 Commerce & management 11,23,633 32.5 15,00,609 36.5 Law 2,61,130 16.8 2,67, 043 20

4. WOMEN IN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING – SOME FACTS & FIGURES Enrollment of Students in Engineering/Technological Institutes in India 1980 1990 2000 2006

5. PREFERRED PROFESSIONS AMONGST WOMEN SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS

6. CAREER MOVEMENT OF WOMEN SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS The number of women decreases while moving up the corporate ladder as family and other social commitments take a priority over career goals