Women in science: Beyond celebration, towards equity

Every year, we celebrate National Science Day on 28th February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by the eminent physicist Sir C.V. Raman while working in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. On National Science Day, theme-based science communication activities are held across the country. This year’s theme is “Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat”, which underpins the role of women in our journey towards Viksit Bharat. It’s really time to introspect on the lives of women in science. Since time immemorial, women have been facing discrimination from society, which is reflected even in today’s science.

 For many girls, the journey towards science begins with conditional encouragement. Curiosity is welcomed, but ambition is carefully moderated. A boy aspiring to be a physicist or wildlife biologist is seen as committed; a girl with the same aspiration is frequently advised to “balance” her goals with future domestic responsibilities. Science demands long years of training, uncertainty, and professional risk-conditions that society still hesitates to extend to women without scrutiny. For a girl to succeed in science, she needs her family’s support.

When women do enter scientific institutions, the challenges do not disappear; they merely change form. Male chauvinism, though rarely spoken aloud today, remains evident in many laboratories, research centres, and academic spaces.

These can be seen in the authorities’ work designation. The areas where they can perform well and make it to the limelight are usually not assigned to them. Another insidious activity is workplace gossip, which targets women scientists.In many national institutions, women are forced to work in silence, fearing repercussions from the higher-ups. There are also disturbing instances where exceptionally brilliant women scientists are deliberately targeted.

Complaints are discouraged in the name of “institutional harmony,” and resilience is praised when it really means endurance of unfairness. Such a culture does not merely harm individual careers; it weakens science itself by suppressing dissent, ethical courage, and diversity of thought.

Until very recently, even basic infrastructural needs of women scientists were overlooked. It is startling that in some premier laboratories there were no dedicated restroom facilities for women, not decades ago, but until recent years. 

The situation is equally challenging for women at the earliest stages of their research careers. Many male scientists hesitate to take women students, particularly married scholars, fearing maternity leave and perceived “interruptions” to research timelines. Motherhood is thus treated as a professional liability rather than a social responsibility that institutions must be equipped to support.  Ironically, such prejudices persist even in environments that pride themselves on rationality and evidence-based thinking.  As National Science Day 2026 is observed, the theme must serve as more than a ceremonial slogan. It should prompt institutions, policymakers, and the scientific community to confront uncomfortable realities alongside celebrating success stories. Recognising women in science cannot be limited to awards and anniversaries; it must involve sustained efforts to remove structural bias, ensure dignity at the workplace, and create systems where merit is not filtered through gendered expectations.

Dr Biju Dharmapalan is  the Dean – Academic Affairs, Garden City University, Bengaluru ; views are personal