FICCI Panel says Women in STEM to Increase to 30% by 2030

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 11 March 2021

FICCI organized a panel discussion that included industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. The first of its kind panel organized by FICCI had Ajay Kumar, Defense Secretary, Government of India give the inaugural address. He spoke about the important role played by women in the development of the country.

"Whether it is in Defence or IT sector, women's impact has been very significant. I remember the growth of IT in the country, India becoming the world's largest IT outsourcing destination would not have been possible without our women. More than one-third of the workforce in IT has been women. Even in Electronic Manufacturing, something with which I have been closely associated, the role of women has been even more significant," said Dr. Ajay Kumar. He also thanked Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer, Zupee for organizing the discussion.

Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, a woman who is passionate about Internet access, new media technology, emerging tech, reg tech, public policy, inclusion, diversity, women in tech & girls in ICT has vast cross-functional experience in various fields like media internet governance, government affairs, corporate communication, media relations, electronics, digital & social media activation, journalism and many more.

She is a member of several global and Indian policy working groups, boards, and government advisory committees.

"Women in a leadership role in technology bring about an inherent user-centric approach that brings about solutions for the on-ground issues. Studies by Peterson Institute have concluded that wherever companies cross the 30 percent threshold of the female workforce, these companies demonstrated a 15 percent increase in profitability," said, Dr. Subi Chaturvedi, Session Chair, setting the agenda for an increased role of women in the technology sector.

"We are finding women shining in spheres of STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Management), and therefore it is not surprising that the Government of India through its various initiatives has been able to kick-start and make sure that women are finding an equal place and an opportunity in India to benefit not only India but the rest of the world," said R Ramanan, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, emphasizing the role of technology in empowering women.

The panel included exceptional women leaders and experts in their respective fields such as Deepali Upadhyay, Program Director - Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Innovation Mission(AIM), NITI Aayog; Gowree Gokhle, Head Media & Entertainment Practice, Nishith Desai Associates; Swati Rngachari, Vice President and Country Leader, Public Affairs and Strategic Engagements, United Health Group; NS Nappinai, Eminent Lawyer, Founder Cyber Saathi.

The panel was convened to emphasize the importance of increasing women's engagement in leadership positions. Dr. Chaturvedi tackled the obvious scarcity of women in STEM fields, stressing the need to raise the number of women in STEM fields to 30% by 2030. She also advocated for the use of cutting-edge technology for learning, skilling, and empowerment, such as gamification.