Celebrating India's Female Engineering Aspirants
The girls cracking India’s toughest exam
Image: Hindustan Times
Context
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is one of India's most competitive exams for engineering colleges, particularly the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Despite an increase in female candidates, women remain underrepresented in engineering programs compared to men.
What The Author Says
This piece reflects on how Arohi Deshpande's achievement in India's Joint Entrance Examination symbolizes both progress in female representation in STEM and the persistent challenges women face in the field.
Key Arguments
Facts and Opinions in the article
📗 Facts
- Arohi Deshpande ranked 77th overall in the JEE Advanced results.
- In 2023, 10,107 girls cleared the JEE, a record number.
- Women made up only 8% of IIT students in 2017.
- Women represented 28.9% of entry-level STEM employees in 2023.
📕 Opinions
- The euphoric headlines about female JEE qualifiers mask deeper systemic issues.
- Family support plays a pivotal role in the success of female engineering aspirants.
- The low percentage of women in leadership roles in STEM reflects broader societal biases.
Counterpoints
Some argue that gender quotas can undermine meritocracy.
Critics believe that focusing on gender representation may detract from the merit-based selection process that is essential in competitive exams.
Others suggest that societal norms are changing.
With increasing awareness and support for women's education, some believe that the representation of women in STEM will naturally improve over time.
Some advocate for alternative career paths for women.
There are arguments that not all women need to pursue STEM, and that diverse career options should be promoted instead.
Bias Assessment
The author's focus on female achievements may overlook the complexities of meritocracy and individual choice.
Why This Matters
Recent trends show a rising number of female candidates in the JEE, yet systemic barriers continue to hinder their representation in top engineering institutions and the workforce.
🤔 Think About
- •What are the implications of gender quotas in educational institutions?
- •How can we balance meritocracy with the need for diversity?
- •What societal changes are necessary to further support women in STEM?
- •How do workplace biases affect women's career trajectories in engineering?
Opens original article on Hindustan Times
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