Analyze the socio-cultural factors contributing to the high attrition rate among women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers in India. Suggest measures to improve their retention in STEM.

1. Patriarchal society → don't allow women to step out of homes
2. Stereotypes :- women not good in maths → impact their admissions
3. Continued biases in campuses of universities (eg) treating women colleageaus with inferiority
4. Career brakes due to motherhood penalty → leads to sufficient loss of experience in job market

⑤ Glass ceiling faced by women in STEM (eg no promotion to top post

⑥ Preference towards household duties by families → care burden on women

⑦ Double burden leads to significant toll on work performance

⑧ Casual sexism at workplaces (eg Sexual harassment by seniors

⑨ Disabilities arising out of cultural biases against working women

⑩ Career growth impact as they are not allowed to go abroad or away from homes.

Measures

① Incentives to STEM stream option (eg KIRAN scheme

② Awarding meritorious students (eg marie Curie Awards

③ Career restart measures

④ Workshops for women in STEM

④ Apprenticeship and internship opportunities for experience.

⑤ online courses (eg) SWAYAM for STEM knowledge.

⑥ Tackle gender biases on workplace (eg) PoSH, equal opportunities Act

⑦ Behavioral Nudge (eg) highlight success stories of women scientist (eg) Chandrayan mission

⑧ Care economy formalisation for reducing dual burden

⑨ working women hostels for reducing cost