India, March 8 -- Every year, International Women's Day offers an opportunity not only to celebrate achievements but also to reflect on the structural transformations required to ensure equitable participation across sectors. Nowhere is this conversation more critical than in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), where the future of innovation, industry and national development is increasingly being shaped.

India has made notable strides in expanding women's participation in STEM education. According to the All-India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22, women constitute 43% of total enrolment in STEM disciplines at the higher education level in the country. This represents a significant shift from earlier decade...