No economy can develop unless there is full participation of half the population. Therefore, it is necessary to change the nature of education of women, so that the traditional gender bias can be prevented from flourishing in the next phase of the world economy. Despite the fact that we have come a long way in creating a more equal world for both men and women, the issue of sexuality remains relevant today.
The associated prejudices have posed unwanted challenges to the world. Especially when it comes to women, it becomes even more difficult to deal with them. Women empowerment has been a topic of discussion and brainstorming since the last century. Whatever be the form of empowerment, its foundation stands on the ground of education. Education is directly related to economic empowerment. Self-reliance strengthens ‘leadership’ and ‘decisive ability’, which is a powerful means of strengthening empowerment.
There is a close relationship between education and employment. Since every period changes in the nature of employment according to the need of the society and the country. Therefore, education has relevance only when it is job oriented. The fourth industrial revolution has knocked in the country. Now India will have to create about 50 million tech-enabled workers. But one important question is whether women will also be able to make their place in this? Because the potential, intelligence and creativity of women not only in India, but across the world is beset with huge inequality and prejudices. According to the United Nations report, ninety percent of jobs in the future will be such, in which knowledge of information and communication technology will be necessary in some form or the other.
A huge number of job opportunities are being created in the fields related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). But this fact cannot be ignored along with the fact that there is a gender disparity at all levels in STEM disciplines around the world. Despite social, economic and political progress, there is no corner of the world where gender stereotypes are not complexly present on a practical level. This fact is corroborated by statistics that show that in more than two-thirds of the world’s countries, the share of girls in subjects such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics is only 15 percent.
There is a general belief that men are qualified for certain tasks, and so-called science and maths are complex subjects, so they are not for women. While this is not true. Science is not for a ‘specific gender’. Gender difference is not due to science, but a product of social norms.
According to a research conducted at Florida State University in the US, it is being argued that gender disparity in science subjects in higher education reflects ability, but when class X students were tested for math aptitude for six consecutive years. Boys and girls performed equally. Despite this similarity, boys consider themselves to be better at maths, while girls consider themselves to be inferior. This research, published in ‘Frontiers in Psychology’, confirms the fact that when the ability of a particular individual or group is continuously mistrusted, it automatically starts accepting that it is incompetent.
Charles Darwin wrote in his book ‘The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex’ that there is a great difference in the abilities of women and men and men achieve more success than women in every field. According to him, the reason for this difference is that women are biologically less than men. But is it logical to accept this argument of Darwin without any factual and scientific verification? Darwin’s commentary is the result of disregard for social conditions where women were given less opportunities than men and their freedom was also controlled.
A study conducted in 60 countries by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development revealed that parents also discourage girls from taking up science subjects. There is another truth that cannot be denied, that the tendency to show women as inferior and the research which considers science as the subject of men has also been done by men.
British science journalist Angela Saini wrote in Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong and the New Research That’s Rewriting the Story: We have always considered science neutral, but the reality is that science is mostly full of prejudice because Scientists themselves are victims of prejudices. No biology research has been able to prove that women cannot do what a man can.
Since the field of science is dominated by men, it is constantly sought to establish the fact that women cannot be comfortable with the complexities of science. It is not easy to break this gender gap, as most of us have this gender biased mentality right from our childhood. According to a study, even a five year old child develops an understanding of what behavior is expected of his gender (boy / girl).
Fighting gender bias has never been easier. But at the level of elementary education, if teachers and parents arouse the interest of girls in subjects like science and mathematics, then the situation may change. It is certain that innovation in teacher training and investment in technology that understands gender differences and needs can reverse the current trend. Actually, this whole effort depends on the urge to change the social thinking. For this there is a need to create an environment where girls become the leading scientists and innovators of the future and shape a just and sustainable future for all.
The truth is that no economy can develop unless it is fully attended by half the population. Therefore, it is necessary to change the nature of education of women, so that the traditional gender bias can be prevented from flourishing in the next phase of the world economy. While the educational formats and the systemic changes contained therein will play their part, they will also instill confidence in the girls.
One such initiative was recently organized by an exhibition on women who made great contributions to science at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. In order to inspire women, this exhibition is also planned to be held at various places in America, so that people can know that there are women like Marie Curie who have made their phenomenal contribution in the field of science.
Now it becomes necessary for us to understand that it is very important to increase the number of women and girls in science and technology related subjects and career options. This can help in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Otherwise, without the presence of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the world will continue to be shaped by men for men.