Women in STEM Club Nepal
Vision and Mission of Women in STEM Club, Nepal
The primary vision and mission of the Women in STEM Club, Nepal is to empower, inspire, and motivate more girls and women to pursue and thrive in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). According to UNESCO, only 7.8% of women in Nepal are currently working in STEM—a statistic that highlights a significant gender gap.
This disparity is driven by various challenges, including a lack of female-friendly national policies, deep-rooted gender stereotypes, restrictive social norms, a scarcity of female role models, and limited networking and capacity-building opportunities for women in STEM.
Our club is committed to advocating against this gender gap and aims to raise awareness among policymakers, academic leaders, and politicians to foster a more inclusive STEM environment.
Who We Are
Our core team consists of eight members from diverse STEM backgrounds, with representation from all seven provinces of Nepal—a unique and inclusive aspect of our initiative.
Core Team Members
- Babita Paudel – Head/Research Director, Center for Natural and Applied Science, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province
- Er. Pratibha Kulung – Electronics, Communication & Information Engineer, Bagmati Province
- Keshu Pant – Assistant Professor, Mechi Multiple Campus, Bhadrapur, Jhapa, Koshi Province
- Priyanka Nidhi Karna – Researcher, Microbiome Nepal, Janakpur, Madesh Province
- Savita Dhungana – Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Mid-Western University, Surkhet, Nepal, Karnali Province
- Sushma Pandey – Lecturer Bhairahawa Multiple Campus, Lumbini Province
- Sujata Shrestha – Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Gandaki Province
- Ms. Prakriti Pant – Health Directorate, Doti, Sudhurpachim Province
Key Activities of the Club
- Regular Meetings: Hosting regular physical and virtual meetings with interested female students and researchers.
- Knowledge Sharing: Facilitating discussions and the exchange of research experiences, insights, and opportunities.
- Capacity-Building Activities: Conducting training/workshop on writing research proposals, academic journal articles, crafting effective CVs, and improving communication skills.
- Outreach Programs: Organizing STEM awareness and motivation events in schools, colleges, and universities to encourage girls to pursue STEM education and careers.
- Leadership Development: Running leadership skill-building programs tailored for female students and professionals in STEM fields.
- Storytelling Series: Showcasing success stories of women in STEM through both physical and virtual events to inspire, motivate, and encourage the next generation.
Policy Advocacy: Engaging and sensitizing policymakers and academic leaders on the
Stories of Women in STEM: Tales of Struggle, Success, and Inspiration संघर्ष, सफलता र प्रेरणाका कथा
Organizing scientific talks and interactive sessions featuring women in STEM, highlighting their journeys and achievements.