Deborah Dali 00:06
Hello and welcome to Changemakers, the podcast series you presented to you natureWhere we shed light on the wonderful and unusual scientists.
I am Debora Daly, the global head of the Black Employee Network in Springer Nature. I am very proud to present this series, as we explore exclusion in science and how some researchers do something about it.
In the eighth episode, The Last in the Series, we meet a vital biochemical in Kathmandu, to improve access and opportunities for girls and Nepaliat women in STEM professions.
Babita Paudel 00:53
Welcome. This is the Babita Paudel from Nepal. I am currently working as a major research director at the Center for Natural and Applied Sciences here in Kathmandu, Nepal.
My search field is natural product chemistry. Essentially, I work on high -rise microorganisms and medicinal plants in Nepal. I am looking for biologically active compounds, most of them, from these living organisms.
I grew up in the central part of Nepal. About 200 km from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and Kathmandu is a mountainous area.
I was a bright student at that time as well. So there was a mentality. Some teachers and some parents are also, and pressure on the study of science and other subjects.
I have been enthusiastic about science since my high school. It has developed strong attention in biology, especially in plant science and microorganisms.
For these parents, encouraged me and supported me to follow this field. At that time, there were very few female professors. So I was also inspired by them.
After completing a master’s degree, I had the opportunity to study a doctorate in South Korea, where I worked in Antarctica factories and microorganisms. This represents the beginning of my research and my academic life.
There is a noticeable deficiency in women in science in Nepal. Only 7.8 % of women work as a researcher.
Although there are some progress made in recent years, women are still an active representative in the fields of STEM, especially in higher education, at the doctorate level, research and leadership positions.
There are different factors: social factors, cultural and institutional factors.
The first is the sexual stereotype plays an important role for this. You know this from an early age. Girls are often discouraged from following STEM topics. These fields are dominated by males, most science teachers or male STEM teachers, so this may be the reason.
There is also a lack of female role model in science and technology, and it is difficult for young girls to depict themselves in such professions. This may be a reason, and the other is family and societal expectation can be limited.
Many families give professions priority that are in line with these traditional gender roles, such as they insist on girls on choosing the topic such as education or health care, instead of engineering or technology. This may also be another reason.
Another third reason may have many institutional barriers at multiple levels. As you know, these women in this STEM often face challenges such as inequality in research opportunities, financing and leadership roles.
Sometimes we can face discrimination in the workplace and this deficiency in women’s friendly policies. The lack of maternity leave, or the lack of flexible working hours, and the lack of children’s care facilities near the workstation. These are the reasons.
Finally, I would like to say that there are few, limited or limited opportunities for guidance and communication. These are the reasons for expanding this gap. Many women lack access to the strong professional network and the counseling program, as I have already mentioned, and scholarships that can help them prosperity in STEM functions.
Losing women or girls means that we lose many talents. And many of the ideas we lose. So for this best society, we need the diversity of ideas and everything.
So we need to encourage more women to enter the scientific fields, so we can harness a group of larger and more diverse talents. Certainly, this leads to more innovation, and since a different perspective contributes to solving the most comprehensive problems, such as health care, agriculture and technology.
The other is that the steam workforce is more comprehensive that can push economic development as well. Women in STEM can contribute to research, entrepreneurship and technological progress that creates job opportunities, and improves industries that promote global competitiveness in Nepal as well.
It has been found that a diverse team caused by high -quality research with a wider application.
This is also a fact. Therefore, we must encourage women at STEM to lead more comprehensive studies that deal with issues that affect both men and women in Nepal, such as mother’s health, climate change, adaptation and sustainable development.
Besides, it helps break the gender stereotypes as well. So we have to be very studied in this. With more women involved in STEM, it definitely increases the demand for gender sensitive policies, research and institutional support, and leads to a more comprehensive and dynamic academic and professional environment.
Investing in women in STEM is an investment in the future of Nepal, which leads to the discovery of science, economic and social process. So we need more girls or women in the fields of STEM for a better community to form a better nation, to make a better world, I would like to say.
So I have been trying to activities and construction of this capacity since 2022. That is why I created women in the STEM database that was already published on the Cenas website, the Center for Natural and Applied Sciences. This is my mean.
I still continue this task to update and upgrade this database. In fact, why this database is important? Here, I would like to highlight the database that helps build a strong society. Thus, women feel encouragement, inspiration and empowerment to follow progress in a scientific profession. This is the first initiative.
The second is this. Many capacity building activities have started. Therefore. I have organized many workshops, training courses, and seminars in all Nepal province, physically. At some point I am doing several web seminars as well. This goal is to provide women with technical skills, research and driving methodology. This is the task.
And such activities help to fill. These capacity building activities help bridge the confidence gap and prepare women to succeed in STEM fields.
So it started in campaigns on social media as well, because this is the era of social media, so that we can influence people in a very short period through the social network.
So I created a group on Facebook and LinkedIn called Facebook, and there is a group called Women in STEM Nepal. In LinkedIn, there is a group called Women in STEM Club Nepal.
We are working as a platform for exchanging knowledge, networks and inspiration, and these communities allow women to communicate and exchange opportunities and discuss the challenges they face.
So far, I can contact about 4.6 thousand students, and researchers throughout Nepal, through this group. After these efforts, I also worked in this campaign of advocacy and awareness to challenge the gender stereotype in Nepal.
Because, as you know, these are policy makers and academic leaders, they are not aware of this position. So we have to involve them, and we have to feel them. We have to … political intervention is also very important.
Political intervention also plays a major role. Therefore, participation with policy makers and academic institutions and at one time with industrial leaders to enhance gender -sensitive policies and equal opportunities was another decisive step. I am also working on it.
So sex, this gender contrast in STEM, is not once before it cuts its long way, so it requires continuous participation, the guidance program and the change level of politics.
Through this initiative, I hope to contribute to a more comprehensive and diverse scientific society in Nepal.
Yes, there are a lot of things that should happen to fill this gender gap completely. Many major changes should occur at different levels, I would like to say.
First of all, politics and institutional support. This is many governmental institutions and major academic institutions to implement sensitive gender policies such as a women’s grant in STEM. And the work environment is a friend of motherhood. Equality of access to the financing of strong research and enforcement of anti -discrimination policies is crucial.
This is this policy and institutional support. There should be a educational system reform.
Here, I would like to highlight a few points. This means that STEM education should be more, and make more comprehensive from an early age, at an early age. The school must encourage girls to follow science and provide roles models through the presentation of scientists in the curriculum. Because in our curricula, we can see a lot of gender biases. Only male scientists are highlighted. So we have to think about it too.
The other is a practical educational program that may be STEM clubs. The guides for women in STEM can cause significant differences.
A third point, I would like to say that the chances of totalitarianism and leadership in this workplace. This is what we also need to think about it.
Therefore, more women should be in leadership position in universities, business institutions and technical industries.
For this, we have to create various guidance programs, capacity -building activities, driving training and workplace policies that support job growth for women in STEM. This is also necessary.
Another point I would like to highlight is cultural and societal change. So, I would like to say this stereotype. There is one stereotype that the leg field is not for women.
So we have to change that stereotype. Therefore, these media and societal awareness campaigns will be highlighted by highlighting STEM successful women and their stories. We have to show the role models to inspire future generations. We can do this type of activities.
Next, these families and societies should encourage girls to explore science and technology without restrictions on the basis of sex.
Finally, the most important thing I would like to say is stronger networks and support system. For these expanding networks such as women in STEM and organizing more workshops, conferences and communication events, they can provide women with the communication and resources they need to succeed.
So I would like to provide some tips. First, I believe in yourself and your capabilities. This is the most important thing. The other is that you should be proactive. You must dream of great and work hard to follow your dreams. Your passion and hard work matters more than the stereotype or societal expectation.
So another is to search for guides and build a strong support network. This is very very important. Surrounding yourself with the people who raise you, distract you, and do not inhibit you.
This is also I would like to recommend, bear risks and embrace challenges. This is also something else. Growth occurs outside your comfort area.
So we have to think about it, and whether he applies to obtain a competitive program, leading projects, or expressing your thoughts, do not let fear hinder you.
So we have to be very careful about it. Finally, I would like to say, and this is the most important. I would like to say, defend yourself and others as well.
If you are facing barriers, break them as well, not only for yourself, but for the next generation of women in STEM. Your journey can also inspire the change you need to think.
And most importantly, enjoy this process. Science revolves around curiosity, discovery and innovation. So stay excited, keep learning and confidence in making a difference.
Deborah Dali 15:28
This is all for this series of change makers. Thank you for listening.
Find more tales of great and unusual scientists on Nature Careers.