Why is it in the news?

• The SWATI portal, launched by a panel representing India’s science academies, aims to comprehensively include every woman in science across the country.

SWATI Portal

About:

• The SWATI portal, short for “Science for Women: A Technology & Innovation” portal, is a digital platform designed with the aim of advancing the representation and recognition of Indian women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM).
• The SWATI portal is developed, hosted, and maintained by the National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) located in New Delhi, India.
• The initiative to create the SWATI portal is led by the Inter Academy Panel (IAP) on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM).

Features:

• The portal contains a comprehensive database profiling Indian women across various STEMM disciplines, providing information about their backgrounds, areas of expertise, achievements, and contributions.
• It includes a separate section that highlights women scientists working in different sectors such as academia (universities, research institutes), industry, entrepreneurship, and other career paths within the STEMM fields.
• The SWATI portal also showcases profiles of iconic women scientists from India who have received prestigious honours and awards such as the Padma awards, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards, or Stree Shakti Science Samman, recognizing their significant contributions to science and society.