MAJOR (HIGH-PRIORITY) RECOMMENDATIONS Flexible employment opportunities for women, with full service benefits: Possibility of half-time positions (with reduced pay but no loss of benefits or seniority). Flexi-time options. Permission to work from home (wherever possible). Abolishment of age restrictions or further relaxation of age limits.  Increase fraction of scientific positions held by women: Desirable goal (but not quota) of at least 30% of (permanent) scientific positions to be held by women. All institutions to be asked to submit annual report concerning percentage of (permanent) scientific positions held by women, and what progress they have made towards achieving (or exceeding!) goal of at least 30%. Provision of crèche + day-care facilities to be made compulsory: All institutions to have compulsory, high-level crèche facilities. Space provided by institution free of charge. Salary of crèche employee(s) to be paid by institution. Not just for babies, also day-care facilities for elderly parents. All institutions to be asked to submit annual report about status of these facilities. 50% of proposed fellowships (Million Fellowship plan in the 11th Plan) to be allocated to girl students. Formulate universal guidelines for issues of special concern to women scientists and students, with this information to be readily available: Mandatory for all institutions to have link on their main web page to: Policy on sexual harassment (Code of Conduct) Membership of women’s cell Policy on hiring women (equal opportunity) Policy on hiring couples At present, each institution formulates its own policy on sexual harassment, etc., based on Supreme Court Guidelines. Universal (& mandatory) policy to be formulated. Institutions should submit annual report on whether Women’s Cell formed. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS MADE/GATHERED BY TASK FORCE: Hiring/Awarding/Promoting Practices: All selection committees to have at least one woman member. All prize/grant-awarding committees to have at least one woman member. All promotion committees to have at least one woman member. Questions about marital status/prospects, number of children, etc. to not be allowed to be asked at interviews or discussed by selection committees. Keep (tape?) record of questions asked in interviews. Academies to be encouraged to increase the number of women fellows. Remove rules (written or unwritten) that prevent hiring of spouses. All job advertisements to contain the following sentences: “This institution is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply. This institution does not have any rules that prevent spouses being employed in the same department/institution.” Maternity and Paternity Leave: Make it possible to split up maternity leave flexibly (e.g., 2 months full leave, 2 months ½ time work, etc.) Increase paternity leave (ideally to same duration as maternity leave). Encouragement to Girl Students to Study Science: More fellowships for girl students. Special encouragement scheme for female gold-medallists from universities. Top-rankers from universities to be exempted from requirement of NET/GATE. Special coaching for girl students for entrance exams. Improving working climate for women: Carry out studies of institutional behaviour and culture. Conduct gender sensitization training programmes. Career advancement for women in science: Conduct workshops for women on how to write grant proposals, etc. Liberal leave policies for women (e.g. college teachers) to take time off for research/training. DST’s scheme for women in science to be extended. Raising the Profile/Image of Women in Science: Make it compulsory for all scientific institutions /universities to have scientific talks by a woman (or women) scientist(s) on International Women’s Day (March 8th) – circular to be sent out by Government. More articles in the media Bring out print/TV advertisements showcasing role models. Conduct competition for TV plays /children’s books featuring women in science. Make TV programmes on eminent women scientists.