Grand Challenges India, the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with WomenLift Health, have launched the inaugural 2024 Women Leadership in STEM (WLS) programme to drive impact in gender equality in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leadership in India.

The Women Leadership in STEM offers a pathway for advancing gender equality in STEM in India, underscoring a commitment to elevating the power and influence of mid-career women in STEM fields by equipping them with essential tools, structured mentorship, coaching, peer support, and leadership skills for high impact.
 
The Women Leadership in STEM programme is poised to promote gender equality and enhance the contributions of Indian scientists in the global science and technology landscape through more gender-equal, inclusive, and diverse STEM leadership in the country. By fostering a robust pipeline of women leaders in STEM, this initiative will contribute to systemic change and drive the nation's progress towards greater gender equality in STEM fields.
 
The inaugural 2024 WLS cohort comprises twenty leading women scientists from public and private research institutions across India, including the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Representing diverse voices and expertise in fields such as genomics, veterinary sciences, architecture, and design sciences, these women leaders are set to drive advancements and take on leadership roles in STEM in India.