National Conference of Women Scientists March 8, 2008 Registration for the conference is over Though India has more women scientists as compared to many of the western countries, their proportion as compared to men in active research is still not very high. Most practicing women scientists, doctors, engineers, have been fortunate to be born in families which encourage education of women, and do not discriminate against women and girls. It is also seen that though a large number of girls opt for basic sciences, medicine and engineering at the under graduate level, few continue with science at the post graduate level or later take it up as a career. Of the few who continued and become professional engineers and doctors, most have been able to manage dual responsibilities of home and work place successfully. Despite these constraints India has produced some outstanding women scientists like Dr. Janaki Ammal, Prof. Ashima Chatterjee, Prof. Manju Sharma, Prof. Archana Sharma, Prof. Indira Nath, Prof. Anandibai Joshi, Prof. Kasturi Dutta, Prof. Sipra Guha Mukherjee and Dr. Sneh Bhargava to name a few. However, the number is not large enough, the number of women scientists in various fields of science, engineering and technology is still very few. Women scientists not only play an important role in their respective areas of expertise, but also can bring about significant social change. To address the issues pertaining to encouraging women to take up science and provide gender enabling measures to working women scientists a Task Force for Women in Science was set up by the government in 2005.Under the aegis of the Task force a National Conference of Women Scientists is being held during March 8-10, 2008 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. This National Conference of Women Scientists aims to bring about greater visibility to the achievements of women scientists working in cutting edge areas of science. The conference is proposed to be inaugurated on 8th March, 2008 which coincides with the International Women’s Day. The National Awards for women scientists of DST and DBT would also be conferred on the same day. Leading women scientists from the country are being invited to present keynote papers Technical areas to be covered in the conference:
The main objectives of this conference would be:
In this conference, leading women scientists from the country will be invited to present keynote papers, followed by parallel sessions covering the diverse areas identified wherein women scientists will present their research work. A session on policy issues pertaining to the participation of women in science and technology will also be worked out. The conference would create a platform for women scientists to interact with each other and discuss their views on role of women scientists in development of India. A session on policy issues pertaining to the participation of women in science and technology will also be taken up. In all about 150 outstation participants and 250 local participants will be nominated to attend the conference representing Government and Private Research Institutions, Academic Institutions and Industry R & D. Women scientists working in the themes covered in the conference may register for obtaining an invitation to the conference. Hard copies of the registration form may also be sent by post forwarded by the head of the Institute. Preference will be given to women scientists from far flung areas actively working in the technology areas selected. Partial travel support will be provided to selected women scientist working in the technical areas identified for the conference. Registration for the conference is over
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