The Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, has launched the “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal, aimed at creating a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine).
Launched on the occasion of International Day of Women and Girls in Science at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, the portal is a complete interactive database developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi. Dr. Subhra Chakraborty, Director, NIPGR, New Delhi, highlighted the portal’s potential as the world’s first interactive portal of its kind.
Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of TWAS, highlighted the need to address gender parity in all sectors of life and emphasize the importance of education as a great equalizer. The event was organized to focus on the importance of “Science for Women & Women in Science” and emerging opportunities and inclusiveness of women in S&T endeavors.
It will be beneficial towards the dissemination of knowledge, new advances in fundamental science, and the role/importance of innovation and entrepreneurship development in strengthening the backbone of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The SWATI Portal’s objectives include scaling up efforts to include each and every Indian woman in science across all career stages and subjects, enabling reliable and statistically significant long-term research on issues of equality, diversity, and inclusivity in India.
The portal includes various sections, including Icons, Faculty, Students, WiS Entrepreneurs, Startups, Business & Science Administrators, and STEMM background professionals in alternate careers.
The event was graced by distinguished scientists of national/international repute, including Prof. CNR Rao, Linus Pauling Research Professor & Hon. President, JNCASR, Bangalore, Prof. P N Tandon, Formerly, Professor & Neurosurgeon, Dept. of Neurosurgery, AIIMS, former President, NASI, and other distinguished women scientists. The Inter-Academy Panel (IAP) of the three Science Academies, along with distinguished women scientists from various institutions of repute and representatives from Govt. Departments/Agencies (DST, DBT, DAE, CSIR, ICMR & ISRO), has been working towards promoting gender sensitization, mentorship, gender parity, creating skilled human resources, helping towards the development of rural women, and strengthening the application of S&T for the welfare of women.
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