In the news: “UPSC exam: 4 tries, and a will to succeed

Suhas Munshi, “UPSC exam: 4 tries, and a will to succeed“, The Hindustan Times, May 8, 2010

“Women must continue with their education. Only through proper education can they become self-reliant. Educated and economically-independent women can make sound decisions, make their children responsible citizens, and thus help improve society, says Monika Rani, 29, who is among the 800-odd people who has qualified for the civil services.”

In the news: “Women scientists face systemic biases”

Divya Gandhi, “Women Scientists face systemic biases“, The Hindu, May 7, 2010

This article summarizes the findings of a report commissioned by the Women in Science Panel of the Indian Academy of Sciences, “Trained scientific women power: How much are we losing and why?” (unavailable online). To quote:

“The Indian science community has for long contended with one discomfiting statistic: a staggering 60 per cent of women with Ph.Ds in science do not make it to research positions in science institutes.

The reason, as conventional perception had it, was that women scientists were overwhelmed by family responsibilities, particularly after childbirth, and pressured to drop out of research.”

Does this have to continue?

In the news, “Women make WAVEs in cyber space”

Uttarika Kumaran, “Women make WAVEs in cyber space“, DNAIndia/Mumbai, May 10, 2010

“Women Aloud Videoblogging for Empowerment (WAVE) is a new video blogging website that has empowered 30 women from across the country to embrace the vast potential of the audiovisual medium on their own terms.

While organisations, such as Video Volunteers, have already laid the groundwork for community media in the country, the founders of WAVE, Sapna Sahani and Angana Jhaveri, hit upon a powerful formula — combine a highly personalised storytelling medium with the interactive potential of the Internet.”

In the news: “Are Women Children Of A Lesser God “

Ragini Nayak “Are Women Children of A Lesser God”, The Hindu, May 2, 2010

“What is the worth of a woman’s work in terms of monetary outcome? Is it on a par with her male counterpart?

The Human Development Report 2000 says that women constitute half of the world’s population, perform a two-thirds of work hours, get one-tenth of the world’s income and less than a one-hundredth of the world’s property.

From daily wagers to lawn-tennis grand slam winners, women are being paid less than men for the same or similar work. Women remain the weaker sex with respect to pay-cheques and employment opportunities.

A major contention often raised is: if women’s work is usually of equal value, why are employers not slashing their payroll costs by hiring women instead of men? If they are paying men more than women in a free market, there must be a reason. Conversely, it is argued that equal pay for women is not just an issue regarding pay/wages inequality between men and women but it reflects upon the social, cultural and political perception of women as being physically and intellectually inferior to men.

Let us realise that a comprehensive effort has to be made to subvert the male perception of women’s economic worth and initiate the use of job classifications established on the basis of the work actually performed and the value of the work using objective criteria unrelated to the worker’s sex.”

In the news: “From Mom to Ma’am: Such a long journey for women”

Manjula Pooja Shroff, “From Mom to Ma’am: Such a long journey for women“, DNAIndia, May 8, 2010

“Women are making their mark in all fields, and are movers and shakers in all spheres in today’s times.

It is with a sense of deep satisfaction that I read the news item stating that four Indian women executives have reached the Financial Times 50 top women in world business. Indra Nooyi, Pepsico CEO, topped the list.

The other three Indian Women who made it to this coveted list are Britannia Industries head Vinita Bali, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and HT Media chairperson Shobhana Bhartia”.