A national, research-driven initiative transforming lived experiences into actionable pathways for South Asian women across STEMM in Canada.
Funded By Women And Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) | Led By Lotus STEMM | In Collaboration With Campfire Kinship
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Assume We Can
Break Barriers; Build Opportunities
Why This Matters
South Asian women in STEMM face challenges that are not isolated-they are systemic and cumulative, spanning education, workforce entry, and leadership pathways.
This project exists to turn lived experiences into evidence-based solutions for families, educators, employers, and policymakers.
2024 - 2027
Our Research So Far
600+
Lives Impacted
190+
Survey Responses
50
Focus Group Participants
205+
Stories Captired
Participants From Across Canada Resided in 4 Provinces
Defining South Asia
The Breaking Barriers Pipeline visualizes how systemic attrition unfolds across the STEMM pathway. Each stage narrows and leaks as cultural norms, institutional failures, and caregiving inequities compound over time.
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Attrition is not accidental, it is structurally produced.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Mentorship gaps are one of the strongest barriers to progression
Workplace bias affects hiring and promotion outcomes
Caregiving responsibilities disproportionately impact career growth
Representation gaps reduce
belonging and retention
Barriers compound across life stages, not isolated moments
Project FAQs
How can organizations get involved?
Organizations can support the project by sharing this with their networks, encouraging participation, hosting workshops, or partnering to promote more inclusive practices within their communities or workplaces.
What can I expect from a workshop?
Each workshop is interactive and designed to encourage reflection, discussion and practical learning. Participants will explore research findings, real-life scenarios, and actionable strategies that can help reduce barriers for South Asian women in STEMM.
How is this project different from support provided by other government organizations?
This is a research project aimed at capturing data to identify and address the barriers faced by women who identify as South Asian in STEMM fields. The resources developed will be an application of culturally informed workshops for key systemic stakeholders.
Do I need any prior knowledge to attend the events or workshops?
No. The workshops are designed to be accessible to participants from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their familiarity with equity, diversity and inclusion topics.
