ACCORDING to the World Science Reportreleased recently by the UNESCO, onlyone per cent of women who take up science at higher levels in India completetheir Ph D, with almost three-quartersleaving after their first degree. Womenscientists in research and developmentin India comprise a low three per cent.Nearly two-third of women scientistsare engaged in teaching and one-thirddo administrative work. just 5.4 percent women are employed in thepublic sector agencies and laboratories,which are the largest and the mostprestigious employers of the scientistsand engineers in India.
Surprisingly, despite the long hoursand the demanding nature of work, it isonly in medicine that Indian womencontinue graduate studies. In totality,the report says that Indian womenare making some progress in scientificand technological careers but theystill have a long way to go. The reportemphasises a fairer deal for women. Inthe words of Federico Mayor, directorg6eral, UNESCO, "Women are the futureof science. We urgently need morewomen in research. For us, science hasno sex."