Principal Scientific Advisor Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood Launches “SWATI” Portal to Empower Women in STEMM

New Delhi:  On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, inaugurated the “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal. This groundbreaking online platform aims to represent Indian women and girls in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine) and foster gender inclusivity in the scientific community.

The launch event took place at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), New Delhi, where Prof. Sood highlighted the significance of the SWATI Portal in addressing gender gaps and supporting policy-making for the empowerment of women in science and technology.

Developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi, under the leadership of Dr. Subhra Chakraborty, Director, NIPGR, the SWATI Portal is the first of its kind in India. The interactive database is expected to serve as a comprehensive resource for women scientists, researchers, and professionals in STEMM fields.

Dr. Chakraborty underscored the uniqueness of the SWATI Portal, which she deemed as potentially the world’s first interactive platform of its kind. She emphasized the need for continuous growth, with the goal of including data from all women scientists in the country.

In her Keynote Address, Prof. Quarraisha Abdool Karim, President of TWAS, stressed the persistent need for gender parity in all sectors of life. She highlighted education as a powerful equalizer and advocated for increased access for women and girls across all streams.

The SWATI Portal is designed to include various categories such as Icons (Awardees, Directors, Secretaries, Academy Presidents), Faculty from Indian Universities and Autonomous organizations, Research Fellows, Students at different levels, Women in Science Entrepreneurs, and STEMM professionals in alternate careers. Currently, the portal has incorporated 3000 ‘WiS Data Cards,’ with plans for continuous updates.

The event witnessed the presence of distinguished scientists, including Prof. CNR Rao, Linus Pauling Research Professor & Hon. President, JNCASR, Bangalore, Prof. P N Tandon, Formerly, Professor & Neurosurgeon, AIIMS, Former President, NASI, and Presidents of the three Science Academies – Prof. Balram Bhargava (NASI), Prof. Waghmare (IASc), Prof. Ashutosh Sharma (INSA), among others.

The SWATI Portal’s objectives go beyond creating a database; it aims to scale up efforts for inclusivity and diversity, fostering long-term research on equality issues in India. It plans to develop an active search engine and searchable database, providing valuable insights into the challenges and achievements of women in STEMM fields.

This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the Inter-Academy Panel (IAP), focusing on gender sensitization, mentorship, and promoting gender parity in science and technology. The SWATI Portal is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the cause of women in science and contributing to the nation’s progress in science and technology.