CSIR Showcases Gender-Inclusive Innovation at UN Science Summit SSUNGA80

The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) actively participated in the Science Summit 2025 at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (SSUNGA80) in New York, contributing as a case study on women and girls in science. The summit’s theme, “Women and Girls in Science: Driving Gender-Inclusive Innovation, Gender Equality, and Breaking Barriers”, highlighted global challenges and opportunities for advancing equity in STEM.

The summit focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), recognizing that women’s participation in science is pivotal for inclusive and sustainable development.

Setting the Tone: Gender Equality as a Priority

The session opened with a welcome address by Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR, who underscored the necessity of building a conducive work ecosystem for women in science. She emphasized that breaking systemic barriers requires targeted policies and institutional support, saying:

“We need to provide solutions to address women’s inequality and break barriers with specific policies.”

Women in STEM: The Global Picture

Dr. Naresh Kumar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, provided an overview of women’s contributions in science, noting that globally, 35% of STEM professionals are women, a figure that reflects both progress and persistent gaps. He highlighted the importance of acknowledging women’s contributions to research ecosystems and creating platforms that enable greater participation.

Driving Gender-Inclusive Innovation

The session on Gender-Inclusive Innovation was chaired by Dr. Ranjana Aggarwal, Outstanding Scientist, CSIR, who emphasized CSIR’s multi-year commitment to diversity at the Science Summit. She described gender diversity as critical for responsible governance and ethical research outcomes.

“It’s a global issue of inequality faced by women. A gender-diverse team is crucial for responsible governance in the system.”

Dr. Sanjay Mishra, Senior Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, reinforced the need for gender-sensitive policies and Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) to level the playing field. He highlighted Indian initiatives like GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions) and Vigyan Jyoti, which are aimed at promoting women’s participation in research institutions and schools respectively.

Dr. Bhavani Rao R, UNESCO Chair on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, stressed the importance of ethical AI policies to eliminate gender biases in emerging technologies. She also advocated for compassion-driven research and early-stage capacity building to nurture women leaders in science.

Findings on Gender Mainstreaming in STEM

Mrs. Sandhya Wakdikar, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-NIScPR, presented findings from a survey on mainstreaming gender in STEM within CSIR institutions. The study revealed that women constitute only 16.1% of CSIR’s personnel, pointing to the need for institutional reforms, including stress management and support programs to retain and encourage women scientists.

STEM for a Changing World: The Panel Perspective

The summit’s second session, STEM for a Changing World, chaired by Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Former Senior Adviser, Department of Science & Technology (DST), examined structural inequities in resource allocation. He highlighted how men often have greater access to funding and opportunities, stressing that bridging the gap requires collective responsibility from both men and women.

The panel featured global experts, including:

• Lt Cdr (Retd) Vartika Joshi, Climeworks Mammoth, Iceland

• Dr. Nadia Asheulova, Director, Vavilov Institute for the History of S&T, Russian Academy of Sciences

• Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Former Director, CSIR-CFTRI, India

• Dr. Disha Ahuja, Managing Director, Ahuja Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd., India

The panelists deliberated on how gender inclusiveness fosters diversity, innovation, and resilience in STEM, calling for policies that enable equitable access to resources, mentorship, and leadership roles.

A Global Call for Action

The participation of CSIR-NIScPR at SSUNGA80 reaffirmed India’s commitment to promoting gender equality in science and technology. By showcasing initiatives, policies, and research findings, CSIR highlighted both achievements and challenges in ensuring that women and girls are not only inspired to join STEM fields but are also empowered to lead them.

The summit concluded with a collective call to action: to build inclusive, gender-sensitive ecosystems that break barriers, encourage innovation, and strengthen global cooperation in achieving the SDGs.