Improve gender disparity in science, tech: Vardhan to scientific community

Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today urged the scientific fraternity to correct the under-representation of women in areas of science and technology.
He was addressing a national conference on 'Technological Empowerment of Women' to commemorate the International Womens Day here.
Vardhan said steps must be taken to expand funding to research in science and technology by women scientists as the amount of funding at higher levels was less.
Women are not just home-builders, but nation-builders," he said.
The minister said that science and technology were still considered to be the domain of men. He emphasised that women empowerment was the key focus of his government and outlined various schemes and initiatives for their empowerment.

Vardhan also released a report titled 'Women in Science: A listening Session' besides distributing national awards to women scientists in the senior and young category on the occasion.
Agricultural scientist M S Swaminathan, nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar and DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma also addressed the gathering.