: Mumbai, July 10, 2023

The 8th International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP) International Conference on Women In Physics (ICWIP), jointly organised by the Gender in Physics Working Group (GIPWG) of Indian Physics Association (IPA) and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), started in online mode from Mumbai today. The conference is being hosted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) - TIFR, Mumbai, in an online mode, from 10-14 July 2023. This is the first time an international conference on gender issues in physics is being held in India.

Speaking in the inaugural session, the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India, Prof. A.K. Sood, who is also an eminent condensed matter physicist, said that mentorship programs for young women, flexible work policies for middle age groups and leadership roles as well as significant research grants for seniors, will be a way forward in bringing more women in science research. Prof. A.K. Sood congratulated the conference organizers and spoke about his experiences with the representation of women in physics. The Principal Scientific Adviser mentioned the schemes that have been adopted through the office of the PSA toward addressing the gender gap problem in pursuance of science in India. He highlighted the recent books brought out by the PSA office showcasing women achievers, and role of science and technology clusters to promote gender diversity. 

The Director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Prof.Jayaram Chengalur spoke about the Vigyan Vidushi mentorship program for women M.Sc Physics students in TIFR and inaugurated the abstract book of the conference. Themessage from the Chairperson -Atomic Energy Commission and the Secretary -Department of Atomic Energy, Prof.Ajit K.Mohanty, highlighted the role women have played in technology developments in India. 

Dr. S.M. Yusuf, President, IPA, mentioned the increasingly important role and representation of women in IPAactivities, council and awards.

Distinguished particle physicist Prof. Rohini Godbole, discussed India's association with the ICWIP conferences and how it has influenced the women making a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM ) in India.  She emphasized that the Gender in Physics Working  Group (GIPWG) of the Indian Physics Association serves as an important platform for adopting recommended measures towards addressing the gender gap and gender representation in physics.  Prof. Godbole mentioned that the organisation of the first gender in physics conference in India (Pressing for Progress) in 2019 and eventually the hosting of the 8th ICWIP in India, demonstrates the progress that has been achieved through the sustained efforts in attaining gender equality by several physicists in India.

Prof.Vandana Nanal of TIFR, who is also the co-chair of local organising committee) presented the genesis of organising the ICWIP conference in India.  In her opening remarks Prof.Lilia Meza Montes, president of the IUPAP Working Group 5, gave an introduction to the history of the ICWIP which started in the year 2002 in Paris and described how it has made a global impact for women in Physics. Prof. Srubabati Goswami, co-chair of local organising committee, presented the statistics of the participants, the overall program of the meeting, and gave an overview of the satellite events that were organised by IPA-GIPWG in light of ICWIP-2023. All dignitaries noted the importance of recommendations of ICWIP and hoped  that ICWIP2023 will provide new pathways towards gender equity. The inaugural session today was attended by more than 150peoplefrom different parts of the world.

Leading physicist, eminent women scientists of India and from other countries will be sharing their remarkable stories and also speaking about the initiatives taken by India and countries around the world to support gender equity in science.  The ICWIP 2023 in India is an opportunity to further India’s commitment to the cause of promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in physics and Science in general. The conference is supported by the National Institute for Science Education and Research (NISER), all three national science academies, Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India.

 

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