#IDWGS Essay: Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability by Siddharth Mondal

Science is the driving force behind society's evolution. Take an example of a car. It all started with the steam engine and now it's all down to EV for a sustainable and green future. These evolutions did not occur overnight. It took years and generations after generations for this to happen. In our daily lives, there are many other examples that demonstrate the importance of science. Science is a complex subject in nature. It has various branches. As kids, we are introduced to it as a whole. As we grow older, we begin to explore its various branches, including physics, chemistry, and biology, to be precise. Natural science encompasses physics and chemistry, while biology is also known as life science. Similarly, there are social sciences, earth sciences, and other concepts within themselves. 

The study of each branch is unending, so it's crucial to identify which branch we're interested in and, more importantly, if we're interested in science as a whole and make the commitment to pursue it. In 2020, as the recent pandemic hit all over the globe, it led to several questions regarding where mankind is heading. Is humanity moving towards sustainability or not? Is humanity on the brink of extinction? Are we progressing in the right direction or not? Science's role in answering the above questions and tackling the pandemic has been significant. It achieved this by discovering the root cause and constructing vaccines against it. As a result, mankind won over the pandemic. 

The term mankind refers to more than just a man. There are thousands of women nurses, doctors, and scientists who gave up nights to see this daylight. The role of women in science is significant not only because there is a shift in perspective, but also because they generate new ideas. The origins of some of the best inventions can be traced back to ideas. Curiosity is something that can be experienced by anyone, regardless of gender. Humans are born with curiosity, whether they are men, women, or in general. Curiosity is a gift. It helps you drive to places you have never been before, and do things that haven't been done before, etc. Although curiosity may lead to failure at times, it also has the potential to bring you glory. 

Take the example of Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists in the world, who went on to say, 'I have tried 99 times and failed, but on the 100th time came success.' There are many examples of women too who broke so-called barriers and went on to become some of the greatest scientists in the world. Marie Curie is an example of this. She made a significant impact on the field of radioactivity. She was the first woman to receive the Nobel Prize. She has been asked several times about the role of women in science, for which she has said, 'I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, about how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career.' 

Well, it has not been easy.' She acknowledged that it wasn't easy, but she didn't give up, which is an example in itself. Another such example is Kalpana Chawla, an aerospace engineer who was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. She exemplifies the phrase 'The sky is not a limit'. The field of science needs women not only in science but also in positions of leadership. The grassroots will lead to girls in schools pursuing science as a career. They should be inculcated with the idea of dreaming big. Gender shouldn't be a barrier. When gender is a hindrance, humanity suffers greatly. 

It is time people are aware of this fact, otherwise, the world will miss out on the next Marie Curie or Kalpana Chawla. In fact, why are they limited to being the next Kalpana or Marie when they miss out on the XYZ of mankind? The XYZ of mankind may have an idea that could cross the barriers of ocean and space and revolutionize the world, paving the way for a sustainable future that mankind has always dreamed of.

About the Author

I am an engineering student at Pune and my name is Siddharth Mondal. I am passionate about writing and poetry, and whenever I get an opportunity, I take it.