Towards Gender Equity in Indian Astronomy

Abstract

The Working Group for Gender Equity (WGGE) was formally constituted under the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) in 2015 to increase awareness about gender-related issues in the astrophysics community. The current WGGE comprises eight astrophysicists from different institutes and universities across India. The WGGE organizes the Anna Mani memorial lectures on gender sensitization, which include practitioners from other disciplines in the discourse. These lectures have included eminent speakers who are science historians, philosophers of science, science journalists, social scientists and natural scientists. The WGGE carries out gender audits of Indian research institutes and conducts regular surveys of ASI members and participants via questionnaires. Gender sensitization sessions by the WGGE, including open discussion and feedback from the ASI participants and the availability of subsidized childcare, are now integral to the annual ASI meetings. 33% of the invited speakers and session chairs at these meetings are now women.