A panel discussion on ‘Beyond Bias and Barriers: Women of Pakistan in Science and Technology’ was organised by Habib University at Sheraton Hotel on Friday. PHOTO: FILE
Even though 55 per cent of the students enrolled in disciplines of science and technology at various academic institutions are female, women make up hardly 14 per cent of the workforce in these fields.
The president of Pakistan Software Houses Association, Jehan Ara, made these observations at a panel discussion on ‘Beyond Bias and Barriers: Women of Pakistan in Science and Technology’ organised by Habib University at Sheraton Hotel on Friday.
A social scientist associated with the university, Dr Nosheen Ali, was moderating the discussion which included two other panelists; a project leader at Honolulu Answers, Sheba Najmi, and an aerospace engineer from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nida Farid.
Jehan Ara pointed out that very few women occupied prominent posts in the business and academic sector. “Children often chose certain disciplines due to family and peer pressure and not because they are interested in them,” she said. “Sometimes they are lucky and they do well and sometimes they fail.”
Najmi added that teachers could do a lot to encourage young girls to express their opinions freely. “A girl’s early schooling and parenting sometimes contributes to making her less expressive,” she said, adding that even the toys that are given to girls and boys are different. “After university, these early obstacles manifest themselves in the glass ceiling women face at work.”
Farid said that she didn’t fit into the image that people abroad had about Pakistani women. “Wow! You went to MIT and studied aerospace engineering”- is the response she got from many people when she was visiting Switzerland.
The panelists agreed that most women tend to second guess their abilities when applying for jobs and do not put up a confident front.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2013.
Correction: An earlier version of the article was running an incorrect statement. The story has been revised to accommodate the change.
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Can you please make the following amendments: I said there were 14% women in the tech field in Pakistan and far more in the sciences. I also didn't say anything about them not being in any prominent posts in business and academia because a lot of them are. What I did say was that there needed to me more.
And luck certainly had nothing to do with their success. It is hard work and commitment! And proving their worth.
Dear Correspondant,
"She also mentioned that successful women were in a minority in Pakistan. “Most Pakistani women have yet to prove themselves.” The panelists agreed that most women tend to second guess their abilities when applying for jobs and do not put up a confident front."
I never said these words. Please don't write something I never said.
In addition, when I mentioned about my time in Switzerland, I also said that I reply to those responses by saying "I am not special. All my friends from high school are like me." And that was the context of my words The fact that Pakistani women have, in fact, been very successfull all over the world.
Please correct your article.
Regards
Nida Farid
Ok