The field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is one of the finest instances of gender imbalance, with only about 35% of women being involved in the workforce! Despite the rise in the importance of STEM fields, this vast gender gap persists, as a result of, women continue to be underrepresented or remain a minority in this particular field.
However, in recent times, there has been a growing appreciation for the unique perspectives, skill sets, and values that women bring to the STEM fields. And this entire credit goes to the dedicated girls’ colleges, where women are offered a supportive environment to pursue their confidence and skill sets.
Let’s explore this blog till the end to find out how our girls’ colleges in Kolkata are paving the way for women’s success and advancement in STEM.
Factors Causing Gender Gaps in STEM
Before delving any further, let’s take a look at the different factors that have led to this vast gender gap in the field of STEM-
- Gender-based stereotypes
When talking about the gender imbalance in STEM, gender stereotypes come as one of the topmost factors, especially in India.
Being a patriarchal society, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are often viewed as masculine fields by a majority of the population across the country. So much so, that often, parents as well as teachers start judging a girl’s ability to compete in these fields from as early as their pre-school years!
- Lack of role models
Think about it. How many female scientists or engineers do we read about in newspapers, books, or see in the media? A select few, right? Well, believe it or not, this is also one of the major reasons why girls get discouraged from entering into STEM-based fields. Unlike boys, they have fewer role models to seek inspiration from, and hence that is reflected in the statistics vividly!
- Male-centric cultures
Since very few women choose to study and work in the field of STEM, these areas often foster a culture that’s exclusive to men. Such a rigid and inflexible structure and culture makes it very much difficult for women and minorities to feel included, or to find opportunities for advancements in their careers. As a result, these fields might consist of stereotypes or biases that further discourage girls from pursuing STEM-based fields.
How Are Girls’ Colleges Paving the Way?
Now that you know the reasons behind the prevailing gender imbalance in STEM, let’s move on and explore how women’s colleges in Kolkata are helping to break the bias-
- A supportive environment
Dedicated girls’ colleges offer a safe and supportive ambience where women feel safe and comfortable in expressing themselves. Hence, they also get to freely explore their interests related to the field of STEM.
- STEM-focused programmes and resources
The best girls’ colleges in Kolkata offer STEM-based programmes, like majors and minors in fields of science, and engineering. Added to that, they also offer research opportunities, internships, and study-abroad programmes, that help the girls not only develop their skills and knowledge but also provide them with the necessary opportunities where they can gain experience, and expand their connections in the STEM field.
- Mentorship opportunities
Degree colleges in Kolkata, like Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan Girls’ College, have strong networks of female alumni. They can effectively play the role of mentors or become the role models of the current students who are aspiring to be like them. These women can provide the right kind of support, and guidance, and can also be the beacon of inspiration for the young batch of women pursuing STEM education.
- Academic excellence
Although the structure of girls’ colleges is evolving rapidly, they still lay a very strong emphasis on academic excellence. This implies that the students can have access to premium resources and faculty, which are very much crucial to honing the skills and knowledge required to be successful in STEM-related fields.
To Conclude
The current age is the age of equality. Despite that, the kind of gender imbalance in STEM fields seems to be very much of an alarming factor! It’s only because of the evolved structure of girls’ colleges, that women nowadays are coming forward and having the courage to pursue professional courses after graduation to enter and excel in STEM-related fields.
Are you looking for a premier girls’ college in Kolkata to pursue your dream STEM field? Reputed institutions like Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan Girls’ College can be one of the best options available! Visit their website to check for admission notices, and start pursuing your dream career from today!