International Women's Day 2025: Google Doodle Honours Women In STEM To Celebrate The Occasion

Google Doodle Honours Women In STEM

March 8 marks the International Women's Day, a global celebration of women's achievements and a call to action for gender equality. The Google Doodle features a montage of illustrations showcasing scientific items. “International Women's Day 2025: Today's annual International Women's Day Doodle highlights how women have shaped STEM fields through breakthroughs and discoveries,” reads the description.

Leaders Share Their Thoughts On Women In STEM

Anurag Gupta, CEO and Co-Founder of STEMROBO Technologies, said, “Women’s participation in STEM is increasing, but challenges persist. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes, fewer role models, and limited resources discourage many girls from pursuing STEM careers. In India, women make up 43% of STEM graduates but hold only 27% of STEM jobs, falling short of the desired 50%. Their representation in research and development institutions and universities also remains low. Societal biases often discourage them from pursuing careers in science and technology.”

“However, initiatives promoting hands-on learning, mentorship, and policy reforms are making STEM more inclusive. Schools and organisations are introducing STEM education early, encouraging girls to explore technology and innovation. Increased visibility of female leaders in STEM is inspiring change. Bridging the gender gap requires equal opportunities, fostering curiosity, and reshaping societal perceptions to ensure women contribute significantly to the future of science and technology,” he added.

Moving From Participation Of Women To Leadership In Stem

Dr Sangeeta Srivastava, Executive Director of Godavari Biorefineries Limited, shared, “What if the next breakthrough in sustainable energy or biotechnology hinges on a woman who hasn’t yet been given the tools or encouragement to lead? As the world marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, this is a question worth reflecting on. There is no denying the strides made by few women over the last few decades is remarkable in the STEM sector. However, much has been left behind on the journey towards true representation and leadership. Today, women comprise 40% of India's STEM graduates, a statistic combining the impact of the programs introduced by the government, mentorship programs, and institutional support. Yet, unless this becomes the era of leadership and not just participation, the stride made may lose its shine.”

She continued, “The notion of women leading large-scale industrial initiatives was once rare, almost unthinkable. Over time, programs like Vigyan Jyoti , WISE -KIRAN and many such programmes which cut across from graduation to post graduation and to entrepreneurship have laid the foundation for young girls to pursue careers in STEM. However, a strong foundation is not the end goal; it is the starting point. It's about giving women's voices an actual voice in the boardroom, in the factory, and in R&D labs, where the actual decisions shaping the industry are taken.”

She mentioned, “The power of diverse leadership cannot be overstated. Research consistently shows that gender-diverse teams make better decisions and drive higher innovation revenue. Yet, less than 12% of STEM leadership roles globally are held by women. This gap is even more pronounced in entrepreneurial ventures, where only 2.3% of venture capital funding goes to women-led startups. The question is, how can participation be turned into influence?”

“The answer begins with shifting mindsets—both societal and institutional. Women are often encouraged to excel in "safe" areas of STEM, such as academia and research. While these fields are vital, they cannot be the sole focus. Ambition for leadership in core engineering, manufacturing, and industrial roles must be fostered. For this to happen, workplaces need to evolve, offering mentorship opportunities, flexible policies, and funding initiatives aimed at women-led projects,” she concluded.

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