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
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
195
Survey Responses
50
Focus Group Participants
205+
Stories Captired
Participants From Across Canada Resided in 4 Provinces
Defining South Asia
Who This Is For
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. 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 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.
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.
Funding Provided by
