Why, women in science?
How many women do you know who are Scientists?
Can you name ten women scientists who are Indian?
I can’t.
Let me tell you more: A week ago, I got to know that a Wikipedia edit-a-thon was being organized on July 16 and participants were invited to create and edit articles on Indian women in Science. I responded in affirmative as soon as I saw that mail. As many of you already know, I edit Wikipedia whenever I get a chance. I am not very regular but I still try as much as possible.
And why Indian Women in Science? We have spoken about this before and to refresh your memory, Wikipedia still lags behind on content that is women-specific. Both, content on women and for women needs to be added. Not just that, only one in ten editors is a woman. So a lot needs to be done and if I can, why not?
Add to all this, many women drop out of the stream cos of family pressure and gender biases. Yes, support is not that easy as it may seem. Those who remain, don’t get their due share.
This morning: We started around ten in the morning at the Center of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science. We had a quick kick off on gender biases, the leaky pipe syndrome and then we also had a chance to interact with Vaishnavi Ananthanarayanan, who is a Scientist. We had a subject matter expert amongst us, Shyamal and with his help we quickly got to create/edit pages on women.
Women who are successful but the awards they have received aren’t listed. Women who are experts but their employers haven’t disclosed their complete educational background. These women who are achievers in their respective fields but we don’t know them cos if you google, the research papers show up but not a Wikipedia page. Trust me and try a couple of names from the project page. Those that are in red. The blue ones have now been created.
As we closed, all of us learnt many new things. We realized that a lot more needs to be done and one day is never enough. I also met other women who are in science and doing some great work in diverse areas. Such meetings make me realize that we get so pigeonholed in our respective areas that fresh perspectives are a very welcome change.
All in all, a day that I am proud of.
I can’t stop myself from asking this but if you would like to edit, please create a Wikipedia account and get started. It is as simple as that. Just remember that every word you put out there makes a lot of difference to tomorrow.
Happy editing!
With this post, the Write Tribe Festival of Words comes to an end. Today’s post was for Day 7.
happiness and food 
That was some interesting info you’ve shared Parul! It is really such a shame that achievements by so many women hasn’t been reflected in the Wiki search. But also good to note, something is being done to effect. Thanks for a great, great week of fantastic posts Parul,I enjoyed them all!
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Thank you so much Kala! Means a lot 🙂
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I hadn’t known that there was information yet left unearthed about accomplished women in Wikipedia. The fact that you’re doing what best you can do is very inspiring. Will follow suit if I get valid information for editing too. 🙂
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Don’t worry about valid information. Just get on to it. If you can find referenced sources,you can add that. Thanks Darshana.
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That was really useful information. I had no idea how to get on to Wikipedia . Yes women scientists are few and Indian women scientists continue to remain unknown . Thanks to people like you, we will learn about their contribution to science … Thanks for this seevice
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Thanks Sunita for your kind words. It is an open source so any one can edit it.
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Women have been denied presence or their work has been overlooked much in history…..If such edit-a-tons do their work, at least there will be more chance of recording history without any discrimination.
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Absolutely, Sunaina. We try but more people need to help us there. Thanks for stopping by.
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That was so insightful and interesting. You are doing such a fab job at editing Wiki pages!! Very inspiring!
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Thank you, Shilpa!
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Women scientists? Come to think of it, I haven’t even realised that I didn’t know a single name till now! Women mathematicians yes, but scientists? Looking forward to reading about them once the Wikipedia pages are completely edited!
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Thanks Milthila!
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That’s great information to educate us all. I think the lack of women known in STEM fields is a worldwide problem. Here too, a lot of universities are encouraging women to take up STEM subjects later in school as well as at uni. The problem is, even in the renowned universities, these fields are dominated by men. All the women who are still in the field rarely seem to get the acknowledgement or name. It’s something that certainly needs to change. Great job on the Wiki editing by the way 🙂
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Exactly! Thank you, Sanch.
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It’s sad that even I won’t be able to name 10 Indian women scientists. This is such brilliant initiative and I hope when I google now I will find more information on them. Imagine how inspiring it will be for the next gen. I want to try editing Wikipedia. Will check out.
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That’s our hope too. Please try it out and I can help 🙂 we need more women editors.
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Superb!
Really, what an inspiration!
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Thank you!
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It’s sad to see so many deserving women aren’t listed on Wiki pages, but I am glad to see you doing good work bringing the less known scientists into limelight (which they totally deserve). Brilliant initiative!
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Thanks Saksham. We also hope the same.
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I didn’t know that there were so many Indian women scientists, but now that I do, I am proud to know that there are so many. 🙂 I hope more are added to the list, and those without details, I hope the page gets them. Wonderful effort to collect and update it.
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Thanks Vinay!
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Wow.. You’re doing such good work Parul. More of us should join in. Women rarely get their due specially in fields like Science and Maths.
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Yep! Thanks, Tulika!
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shame on me I would say I dont know .. we must must of such personalities
so Thank you so much
Bikram’s
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Thanks for stopping by Bikram!
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Inspiring post Parul!A career in science requires a lot of sacrifice.I guess that is why most Indian women are not able to take it up due to family situation.
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You are right. Family pressure is one big reason can quit. Thanks Subha for stopping by!
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