Today (11) the world celebrates a day dedicated to females in science. While Sri Lanka has a high number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the recognition and support they receive are at an extremely low level.
Needless to say, Sri Lankan women are facing a plethora of issues due to the Sri Lankan social construct, which is heteronormative in nature. Overcoming it is in fact the whole society's responsibility, and a lot of attitudinal changes need to take place immediately.
Getting students into STEM fields, according to local studies, is not the main issue. There are plenty of female students in that field. However, societal pressure is an issue that has persisted for decades. Local studies by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) say that among the factors that contribute to female underrepresentation in physical science subjects are negative stereotypes about girls’ competencies in subjects like mathematics, engineering, and information technology, which can lower exam performance as well as aspirations for engineering and other physical science-related careers over time; social, cultural, and gender norms, where girls are compelled to assess their mathematical competencies lower than boys with similar mathematical performance, and to hold themselves to a higher standard than boys, believing that they have to be extraordinary to succeed in so-called “male” fields; a significant male advantage in cognitive abilities in the area of spatial skills – viewed as important for success in engineering and related fields, although recent advances in girls’ performance in mathematical subjects have challenged this argument; and lower job prospects for female engineers, with society judging women as less competent than men in “male” jobs and considering women successful in “masculine” jobs less likeable.
First of all, attitudinal changes are of utmost importance. Sri Lanka needs to tell its young generation, especially its women, that being a woman should not be a reason not to achieve things socially, culturally, economically, and academically. According to some studies, the number of women who do not seek employment opportunities in STEM fields despite having qualifications is as high as 70%, and it is a concerning statistic. This happening in a context where female students sometimes outnumber male students in STEM streams is disturbing.
Secondly, we have to realise that we are living in a time where every person’s contribution matters, and it is high time to acknowledge, reward, and encourage women’s contribution. Like a lot of European countries have done, Sri Lanka needs to give proper recognition to female scientists, inventors, and community leaders, and thereby acknowledge and support their achievements.
One aspect of giving due recognition is making more opportunities available. As an initial step, Sri Lanka can make more scholarships, research funding, and acknowledgement for the researchers’ role in research more socially prominent. At the same time, promoting the achievements of Sri Lankan women in STEM fields – such as those of Prof. Neelika Malavige, marine biologist Dr. Asha de Vos, and sociologist and parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya needs to receive more mainstream media attention.
It is sad that being a woman appears to have, for some reason, become something to be ashamed of. We remember how a prominent minister recently devalued Opposition Leader Sajth Premadasa for talking like a woman, and it shows how we discourage women from being women. Due to this cultural backwardness, women are discouraged from achieving anything despite their abilities. The State Minister in charge of Women and Child Affairs is a man, and perhaps another starting point would be having people, preferably women, who know the women’s plight, involved in decision-making processes.
That is why Sri Lanka needs a wide social discourse about what women can achieve, and how much it matters to the country. This discourse certainly needs to point out what women in the STEM fields – such as Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Jennifer Doudna, and Emmanuelle Charpentier – have achieved.
Sri Lanka had a culture that encouraged women, and perhaps it is high time to go back to that era. Neglecting women’s contribution to the economy and the nation is a very bad example to set for future generations.
Encouraging women in STEM fields
11 Feb 2022
Encouraging women in STEM fields
11 Feb 2022
Today (11) the world celebrates a day dedicated to females in science. While Sri Lanka has a high number of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the recognition and support they receive are at an extremely low level.
Needless to say, Sri Lankan women are facing a plethora of issues due to the Sri Lankan social construct, which is heteronormative in nature. Overcoming it is in fact the whole society's responsibility, and a lot of attitudinal changes need to take place immediately.
Getting students into STEM fields, according to local studies, is not the main issue. There are plenty of female students in that field. However, societal pressure is an issue that has persisted for decades. Local studies by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) say that among the factors that contribute to female underrepresentation in physical science subjects are negative stereotypes about girls’ competencies in subjects like mathematics, engineering, and information technology, which can lower exam performance as well as aspirations for engineering and other physical science-related careers over time; social, cultural, and gender norms, where girls are compelled to assess their mathematical competencies lower than boys with similar mathematical performance, and to hold themselves to a higher standard than boys, believing that they have to be extraordinary to succeed in so-called “male” fields; a significant male advantage in cognitive abilities in the area of spatial skills – viewed as important for success in engineering and related fields, although recent advances in girls’ performance in mathematical subjects have challenged this argument; and lower job prospects for female engineers, with society judging women as less competent than men in “male” jobs and considering women successful in “masculine” jobs less likeable.
First of all, attitudinal changes are of utmost importance. Sri Lanka needs to tell its young generation, especially its women, that being a woman should not be a reason not to achieve things socially, culturally, economically, and academically. According to some studies, the number of women who do not seek employment opportunities in STEM fields despite having qualifications is as high as 70%, and it is a concerning statistic. This happening in a context where female students sometimes outnumber male students in STEM streams is disturbing.
Secondly, we have to realise that we are living in a time where every person’s contribution matters, and it is high time to acknowledge, reward, and encourage women’s contribution. Like a lot of European countries have done, Sri Lanka needs to give proper recognition to female scientists, inventors, and community leaders, and thereby acknowledge and support their achievements.
One aspect of giving due recognition is making more opportunities available. As an initial step, Sri Lanka can make more scholarships, research funding, and acknowledgement for the researchers’ role in research more socially prominent. At the same time, promoting the achievements of Sri Lankan women in STEM fields – such as those of Prof. Neelika Malavige, marine biologist Dr. Asha de Vos, and sociologist and parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya needs to receive more mainstream media attention.
It is sad that being a woman appears to have, for some reason, become something to be ashamed of. We remember how a prominent minister recently devalued Opposition Leader Sajth Premadasa for talking like a woman, and it shows how we discourage women from being women. Due to this cultural backwardness, women are discouraged from achieving anything despite their abilities. The State Minister in charge of Women and Child Affairs is a man, and perhaps another starting point would be having people, preferably women, who know the women’s plight, involved in decision-making processes.
That is why Sri Lanka needs a wide social discourse about what women can achieve, and how much it matters to the country. This discourse certainly needs to point out what women in the STEM fields – such as Marie Curie, Rosalind Franklin, Jennifer Doudna, and Emmanuelle Charpentier – have achieved.
Sri Lanka had a culture that encouraged women, and perhaps it is high time to go back to that era. Neglecting women’s contribution to the economy and the nation is a very bad example to set for future generations.
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Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!