SOCIO-CULTURAL AND INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN STEM

Author

Dr. Gomathi Ananda Kumar, Dr. Veeramani Palaniyappan, Dr. S.Meena Priyadarshini

Abstract

 Background: Though there have been major advancements in terms of female students participating in STEM education in India, the numbers drop drastically with rising academic levels and even more so in case of employment and research positions. This phenomenon is known as "leaky pipeline" and poses a major concern for gender equality within the realm of STEM education and employment. Objective: The present review article analyses the sociocultural and institutional barriers affecting the participation, retention, and progression of women within STEM education and employment in South India. Methods: The systematic review of secondary sources like AISHE reports (2020-2024), Government of India's Ministry of Education publications, policy documents and research papers related to gender and STEM in India has been undertaken for the purpose of the analysis. Thematic synthesis has been employed to understand the barriers and recurring patterns. Results: Women make up 44% of the STEM graduates in India but only 18%-30% of the STEM professionals, while their numbers fall below 20% for faculty and research leadership positions. Major barriers include: (1) Sociocultural factors concerning gender roles and domestic duties; (2) Institutional discrimination and mentorship shortage; (3) Workplace culture and bias; (4) Intersectional discrimination related to caste, class, and rural/urban. Conclusion: In order to fix the leaky pipeline, the approach that needs to be taken includes mentorship programs, clear policies on promotions, gender sensitivity in institutions, and special attention towards women belonging to the marginalized sections of society. Policy recommendations based on empirical evidence have been made in order to encourage women in STEM in India's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

Keywords

Women in STEM, Gender inequality, Socio-cultural barriers, Institutional discrimination, Intersectionality, South India, Career advancement, Leaky pipeline

Full Text:

Download Paper PDF

References

• Chattopadhyay, A. (2026). Empowering women and closing India's gender gap in STEM. PLOS Medicine, 23(2), e1004937. https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004937
• Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 1989(1), 139–167.
• Education for All in India. (2026). From science classrooms to STEM degrees: Evidence from UDISE+ and AISHE. https://educationforallinindia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-STEM-Pipeline-in-India-From-Science-Classrooms-to-STEM-Degrees-UDISEPlus-2024-25-AISHE-2021-22.pdf
• EY India. (2026). Breaking the code: The rise of women in India's STEM landscape. https://www.ey.com/en_in/insights/diversity-equity-inclusiveness/breaking-the-code-the-rise-of-women-in-india-s-stem-landscape
• Gulati, K., Jain, R., & Sharma, P. (2026). Twenty years of silence: Shining a light on gender disparities in academic medical leadership in India. BMJ Leader. https://discovery.researcher.life/article/twenty-years-of-silence-shining-a-light-on-gender-disparities-in-academic-medical-leadership-in-india/6906a48ba3a13e87a610cfc8ab2ac6e5
• Historical evolution of women's access to scientific and technical education in India. (2026). Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/records/20395652
• India Today. (2026, February 13). More women in IITs, but India still fails to close the gender gap. https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/rising-female-enrolment-in-iits-and-stem-courses-but-india-still-fails-to-close-the-gender-gap-2867772-2026-02-13
• Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2023). All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021–22. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999713
• Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2024). Report of the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2022–23. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s392049debbe566ca5782a3045cf300a3c/uploads/2026/07/20260708401535366.pdf
• Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.
• Smile Foundation India. (2025). Global and Indian gender gaps in STEM. https://www.smilefoundationindia.org/blog/gender-gaps-in-stem/
• STEM beyond reach? An analysis of access barriers in India's higher education. (2025). Discover Education. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44217-025-00891-y

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons