[Lekshmy Sathee]

In my view, the skewed ratio has more to do with societal pressure and not with competence at any level. As a woman, I had to get past the societal norms of marriage and settling down (with great family support) until landing my dream career. This scenario may be more true in rural India though. A sizable lot of women candidates stumble and deviate from research career during maternity and child care breaks -which ultimately lag them behind in the race towards becoming a PI. The government is currently doing great in this regard in terms of women scientist projects.

The current pandemic situation itself can dampen the prospects of an early or mid-career woman scientist in becoming a PI if she has child care responsibilities compounded by the inaccessibility of daycare facility or house help professionals.