Task Force for Women in Science

Constitution

1. The Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister has recommended that there should be a Task Force on Women in Science under the Ministry of Science & Technology. The idea has been endorsed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
   
2. The main purpose of the Task Force would be to ensure that the interests of women practitioners in science are protected and that appropriate measures required to promote women to take up the scientific profession are indeed taken by the Government and other organizations. The Task Force will help the Government to give constant attention to the problems related to women in science.
   
3. The composition of the Task Force as approved by the Hon’ble Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology would be as follows—
   
   

   1 Bamji, Dr. Mahtab S Dangoria Charitable Trust 1-7-107, Mushirabad Hyderabad-500 020. Chairperson        2 Sharma, Dr. Vinita   Scientist-G Science for Equity, Empowerment & Development (SEED) Division DST, New Delhi Member-Secretary        3 Bal, Dr. Vineeta National Institute of Immunology Aruna Asaf Ali Marg New Delhi-110 067. Member        4 Devi, Dr. Rohini Scientist-G Advanced System Laboratory Hyderabad-500 058 Member        5 Dhar, Dr. Phoola Kaul House No.96, Sector-1 Channi Himmat Jammu Tawi-180 015. Member        6 Laxmikumaran, Dr. Malathi B-4/158, Safdarjung Enclave New Delhi-110 029. Member        7 Lohia, Dr. Anuradha Bose Institute 93/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road Kolkata-700 009. Member        8 Nair, Dr. Sudha MS Swaminathan Research Foundation 3rd Cross Street Institutional Area Chennai-600 113. Member        9 Narsimhan, Prof. Sobhana Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research Jakur Bangalore-560 064. Member        10 Nigavekar, Prof. Arun Science & Technology Park University of Pune Ganeshkhind Road Pune-411007. Member        11 Parikh, Prof. PP Department of Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Powai Mumbai-400 076. Member        12 Peter, Dr. K.V. Vice Chancellor Kerala Agricultural University Vellanikkara Trichur-680 654. Member        13 Sharma, Dr. Poornima Biotech Consortium India Ltd. 5th Floor Anuvrat Bhavan 210 Deendayal Upadhyay Marg New Delhi-110 002. Member       14 Swarup, Dr. Renu Department of Biotechnology 7th Floor, Block 2, CGO Complex Lodi Road New Delhi-110 003. Member

4. Terms of Reference of the Task Force:
   
   
• To formulate guidelines to protecting interests of women practitioners in science.
• To recommend appropriate measures to promote and encourage women to take up scientific and technological professions.
• To formulate a time bound plan of action for these measures.
• To ensure that appropriate measures are taken up by the Government and other organizations for promoting women scientists.
• To suggest measures to motivate girls to take up S&T for higher education and develop a scientific temper and awareness.
• To interact with other scientific departments/organizations on implementation of gender enabling measures.
• To consider and recommend other proactive gender enabling measures to bring about a greater involvement of women in science and technology.
• To assess and review the impact of above mentioned gender initiatives of the Ministry.
• To make suitable recommendations to the Government of India.
  
  
5. Tenure : The Task Force will have a tenure of 3 years from the date of its constitution.
   
   
6. Meetings of the Task Force can be convened any where in the country as decided by the chairperson.