Advancing South Asian Women in STEMM:
Breaking Barriers & Building Opportunities
A systemic change project for South Asian (SA) women in STEMM across Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.
Project Overview
Project Rationale
-
​​In Canada, South Asian (SA) women, despite their impressive educational achievements, continue to be significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) fields (1).
​​
-
While diversity initiatives often celebrate progress, they tend to focus on entry-level positions, leaving a critical leadership gap unaddressed. This gap perpetuates tokenism, where organizations commend themselves for inclusion at lower levels but fail to dismantle the structural barriers that block SA women from advancing into senior positions (2).
​
-
Furthermore, the professional experiences of SA women in STEMM are plagued by discrimination and underutilization. Research reveals that 34% report facing discrimination, and over half feel underutilized, with many considering exiting the workforce altogether. Despite being among the most educated demographics in Canada, these women face disproportionately high unemployment rates in STEMM, often occupying roles far below their qualifications (3).
-
Addressing these persistent barriers is not only a matter of equity but also crucial for harnessing the full potential of Canada’s diverse and highly skilled talent pool.
Key Objectives
Address Barriers
Identify and adddress the structural, cultural and economic barriers that hinder South Asian women's advancement in STEMM fields.
Enhance Support
Enhance the support structures to improve retention and upward mobility for South Asian women in STEMM fields.
Engage Stakeholders
Engage system actors to foster inclusive mindsets and practices in support of South Asian women in STEMM.
Provide Resources
Provide women and stakeholders with practical, actionable resources to advance equity, thus fostering systemic change.
Participation
Eligibility
-
Self-identifying South Asian women >18 yrs old
-
STEMM background (in school, employed or seeking employment).
-
Residing in Canada for at least 2 years with PR, citizenship, or a valid work permit.
Benefits
-
Access to networking
-
Access to professional development resources
-
Influence policies and practices to foster systemic change
Options
-
Survey: To gather data on trends impacting South Asian women in STEMM.
-
Virtual focus groups (opt-in): Share personal experiences on career challenges.
-
Access to networking: Input on resources and workshops
Availability
-
Primary Mode: Most of your involvement will be VIRTUAL
-
Offline sessions/workshops: optional
-
Resources: Optional in-person, though material shared via email.
Project FAQs
1) Can I participate virtually only, or do I need to be in person?
Participation in the project is virtual only, and so you can participate from wherever is most convenient and comfortable for you.
2) 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.
3) I'm worried about my privacy. How will it be protected?
We take full measures to ensure your privacy and data protection. All data is anonymized to ensure your identity remains confidential.
4) What if I need to quit the study part way through?
While we encourage full participation, you are free to discontinue at any point, with no consequences.
Funding Provided by
