Finding My Place in This Man’s World – Investigating the Perspectives of Equity In Engineering Education

Abstract

The gender equity in engineering fields’ education or workplace is an area of great concern as brought up by researchers across globe. India is no exception. Women in engineering face various issues like retention, discrimination and career issues importantly. This necessitates the need to identify the root causes and suggest strategies to resolve them. The present study addresses this need and identifies barriers that women in their undergraduate study face.At the same time, the number of women working in engineering educational institutes also shows a steady leak at each step. In this study, 249 women undergraduate students enrolled in engineering programs and seven women in top leadership positions responded a survey that collected data related to challenges experienced by them during their education/career. The study identified various barriers faced by hem and suggested strategies to overcome them. For making these women move forward and achieving an equal and inclusive space there is a need to support them in engineering as well as to create an awareness on gender equity.