Swati portal launched to promote women in the field of science

To encourage women in the field of science, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Central Government, launched Swati Portal at the Indian National Science Academy. Swati portal was launched on 11 February 2024.

About Swati Portal:

• There is a single online portal on Indian Women in STEM to address the challenges of gender gap in science and to help in policy making.
• Swati Portal stands for ‘Science for Women – A Technology and Innovation’.
• Swati portal was launched with the aim of promoting women in various fields of science (STEM).
• One of its primary objectives is to correct the gender ratio in the field of science.
• Swati Portal is an interactive database and the first of its kind in India. Swati portal has been developed by National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR).
• According to NIPGR, it is a dynamically developing portal. Its effort is to make data of all the women scientists of the country available at the click of a button.
• The event was organized to focus on the importance of women in science as well as emerging opportunities and inclusion of women in science and technology endeavours.

What will be the benefit of Swati Portal?

• The Swati portal will focus on the importance of “science for women and women in science” as well as inclusivity of women in science and technology endeavours.
• Women scholars from many levels are likely to be included in this in which mainly
  • Young female scientist,
  • Researcher, 
  • Various institutions,
  • Universities,
• Students from PG colleges as well as industries across the country,
• Technocrats and start-ups can be included.
• This will be beneficial in spreading knowledge, new advancements in fundamental sciences and strengthening the basis of self-reliant India.
• Various sections of this portal include award winners and directors, secretaries, academy presidents; Details of Indian universities etc. will be provided.

Current scientific scenario related to women:

• Empowering women means increasing their role in decision making that affects women's lives.
• It is important to educate more women, especially in the fields of science and technology. Scientific education not only increases the level of awareness but also develops a mindset with the ability to decide between right and wrong.
• Training women in the field of science and technology tackles the problems faced by them and ensures their all-round development.
• Women scientists can provide opportunities to other women by making them aware of many scientific and social issues. This can reduce the gender gap in the field of science.

About National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR):

• NIPGR is an autonomous institute aided by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
• NIPGR was established in the year 1998.
• NIPGR is poised to contribute to the cutting edge areas of plant biology in which mainly:
  • Computational biology
  • Genome analysis and molecular mapping
  • Molecular mechanisms of abiotic stress responses
  • Nutritional genomics
  • Plant evolution and architecture
  • Plant immunity
  • Molecular breeding
  • Transgenic for crop improvement.