U.S. and India Help Put More Women in Science

New Delhi | December 10, 2012

The United States and India shared best practices for enabling, promoting, and retaining women in science professions at the fourth annual workshop organized by the United States Embassy in partnership with the Indian Department of Science & Technology and the Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum.  This workshop, entitled “U.S.-India Workshop on Best Practices for Women in Science,” held today in New Delhi, brought together more than 150 participants including outstanding women scientists and innovators from both the United States and India to discuss their shared challenges, and the best ways to advance women in science. 

Ambassador Powell remarked that women will play a vital role in the future of India and the United States, and that both countries recognize the importance of creating opportunities to empower women, particularly in science and technology.  Ambassador Powell launched a webpage on U.S. and Indian cooperation on promoting women in science. This webpage shares public and private sector best practices and highlights policy initiatives in this area.  Department of Science & Technology Secretary Dr. T. Ramasami presented a book to Ambassador Powell on experiences of Indian women scientists. 

Workshop participants shared U.S. and Indian initiatives in government, industry, and academic institutions for women in science, discussed mentoring and networking opportunities for women scientists, and recommended U.S.-India policy-level engagement for addressing issues of women in science in both countries. The event also featured a video message by Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams recorded at the International Space Station, and a video message from U.S. Department of State Assistant Secretary Keri-Ann Jones, both wishing the workshop every success.  Watch Ms. Williams’s video.

Participants included professionals in government, industry, civil society, and academia as well as students from local universities. U.S. Ambassador Nancy Powell and Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology Dr. T. Ramasami inaugurated the workshop.

Presentations and discussions from this event will be published in a report, available on the IUSSTF website.