Factsheet: U.S. Embassy workshop on ‘Women in Science’

September 12, 2011 | New Delhi

The United States Embassy’s September 12 workshop on Women in Science brings together scientists from across India to share strategies and ideas for promoting the advancement of women scientists. The objective of the seminars and discussions is to focus on how to surmount challenges and achieve success in a way that fulfills the potential of both individuals and societies.

• This is the third annual Women in Science workshop hosted by the U.S. Embassy. The workshop highlights the importance of women scientists in Indo-U.S. science and technology cooperation.
• “Women in science” was prioritized as a key area for bilateral engagement between the United States and India in the joint statement released by the two governments following the July 2011 U.S.-India Strategic Dialogue.
• On the Sidelines of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women conference in New York in February 2011, the United States, India and Brazil co-sponsored an event called “Changing Mindsets: New Approaches to Advance Women and Girls in Science.” A number of leaders who spoke at that event are participating in this workshop as well, including Viji Ravindranath, Sudha Nair and Shirley Malcom.
• Science policymakers from both India and the United States are represented at this workshop, and are together creating new initiatives to promote the role of women in science.
• “Science and Technology for Inclusive Innovation: the Role of Women” is going be the theme of the 99th Indian Science Congress in Bhubaneshwar in January 2012.

The U.S. Embassy organized the workshop with support from the Indian Department of Science & Technology and the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF). Presentations and discussions from this event will be published in a report, available on the IUSSTF website.