This commitment to gender equality is a steadfast philosophy in our core values. It is meticulously woven with threads of meaningful work, flexible policies, and empowering leadership.
Addressing this subject, Saswati Pujari—Senior Research Scientist, Product Engineering, Unilever—made a poignant observation about how prevalent stereotypes have often gotten in the way.
"In India, the number of women in STEM roles is skewed because often women carry a disproportionate burden of child-care and household work.”
The need for positive female role models
It is abundantly clear that for most STEM professionals, their journey started right from childhood. The journey of Shruti Kashyap, Chief IT Officer, Hindustan Unilever Limited, was no different.
As a child, I was always fascinated with "how things work" – whether it was the human body, a TV set or a cassette player. When science became a formal subject in our classes, I used to find it a lot of fun going to the labs for experiments. That was what formed the basis of my biology preference in undergraduate and electronics and computer science as a graduate.
Shruti KashyapThis underlines the importance of flaming the fire of curiosity and nurturing it as a vital process for young enthusiasts to develop into STEM professionals. Having the right role models to guide the children, especially female role models for young girls, is key in helping them visualise a journey for themselves.
Supriya Punyani, Head R&D Hair, Unilever, South Asia, embodies the spirit of HUL's unwavering commitment to women in STEM. Fuelled by childhood curiosity and a desire to make a difference, she navigated the STEM landscape, drawing inspiration from female role models who instilled in her the values of assertiveness, pragmatism, and compassion.
The drop in the number of women in STEM after graduation could be due to lack of guidance, work-life balance pressures, and limited role models
Supriya PunyaniShe advocates for exposing girls to diverse STEM fields through initiatives like bringing them to spend a day in the corporate world, showcasing vast opportunities, and interacting with STEM role models at all levels. Additionally, creating opportunities in remote areas for STEM women is crucial to bridging the gap and unlocking their potential.
HUL's active advocacy for empowering women in STEM
Recognising the need to nurture future generations of female STEM leaders, last year, we launched the HUL Women in STEM fellowship. This initiative empowers pioneering scientists like those in reputed colleges such as IISc Bangalore, supporting their research aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
HUL actively tackles challenges through concrete initiatives and flexible work hours that empower mothers to excel in their careers while balancing personal commitments. Daycare facilities provide crucial support for working parents, and access to parallel higher education opportunities empowers talented individuals.
HUL’s merit driven culture is what has empowered me the most. The fact that no one looks at my work through the lens of what gender I am, but rather how well I am doing it, inspires me to shoot for excellence in every endeavour.
Saswati PujariEmpowering women in STEM for a sustainable future
Alongside, Srilaxmi Medepalli—Principal Research Scientist, Home Care—stands as a beacon of empowerment in STEM. Her words echo with resilience and determination as she champions the message of believing in one's capabilities and breaking barriers.
Believe in your capabilities, empower yourself by tackling challenges with unwavering determination, and finally, don't hesitate to break the norms.
Srilaxmi MedepalliSrilaxmi's journey in science and technology is not just about personal success but about paving the way for others, showing that any challenge can be overcome with unwavering determination.
Another shining example of women innovating for a sustainable future is Saswati Pujari. She embodies the ethos of HUL's dedication to environmental stewardship. Her quest to infuse skin cleansing products with environmentally benign ingredients underscores her scientific prowess and her deep-rooted passion for preserving our planet. With every formulation she crafts, Saswati is not just creating products; she's crafting a greener, more sustainable future for future generations.
Overcoming biases and paving the way
HUL is on a journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future for women in science and technology. By tackling biases, providing opportunities, and nurturing talent, we aim to create a world where STEM thrives on the brilliance of diverse minds, regardless of gender. It is important to celebrate the women who are already leading the way and empowering the next generation to follow their dreams, proving that science and technology are playgrounds for innovation and impact, open to all.
"The struggles for women at work are the same whether it's a STEM career or Finance or MBA. A lot more work can probably be done around building more awareness of STEM careers," says Shruti Kashyap, hammering home the point about the need for greater awareness for young women about the possibilities in STEM.
Science and technology are not just tools for progress but catalysts for change. By empowering women in STEM and creating a culture of inclusivity, HUL is shaping a future where sustainability, innovation, and equity go hand in hand.
STEM has unimaginable opportunities to offer, not only there is a lot to learn, but it provides an opportunity to make a difference to the society at unprecedented scale.
Neha Srivastava, Product Design & Development Group Leader, Health Food Drinks, Unilever, South Asia
Scroll through the carousel below to read the stories of our incredible women in science in the spotlight.
Shruti Kashyap (1 of 4)
As a child, I was always fascinated with “how things work” – whether it was the human body, a TV set or a cassette player. When science became a formal subject in our classes, I used to find it a lot of fun going to the labs for experiments – whether it was dissecting a rat or mixing chemicals and seeing reactions. That formed the basis of my biology preference in undergraduate and electronics and computer science as a graduate.
I had a role model right at home, my mom, a Delhi University professor. After she had her children, she spent two years researching to pursue her PhD. To get back to study at that age was a massive inspiration for me.
For women to succeed in STEM, mentoring is an area that works well if it happens organically, which means that you have some connection with a person through work or otherwise that you can build upon. For women looking for mentors, my advice would be to be clear on what areas they need mentoring on and then select someone accordingly.
The future is bright. Continue to be curious, take risks, and experiment. If uncertain, reach out to other women, to the STEM superstars around you. There are impressive careers in STEM, and each of us has the power to shape our journey.
Neha Srivastava (2 of 4)
Growing up as the second of three sisters, I have the fondest memories of my father, who encouraged all of us to pursue whatever field we wanted. I distinctly remember, the ambience at home was one where you’d find all of us studying most of the time. But my elder sister led me to pursue Biotechnology and inspired me to the magical world of science. With her guidance and having to burn the midnight oil often, I enrolled at the prestigious CFTRI, Mysore, to pursue my postgraduate degree in food technology.
I have been fortunate to have worked with the leaders, most of them women, in my entire career. All these women leaders were the best in what they did and had the best influence on who I am today.
I advise young women to find what works for them, establish great relationships, learn from each other, and help each other no matter what.
STEM has unimaginable opportunities; not only is there a lot to learn, but it also provides a chance to make a difference in society at an unprecedented scale.
Supriya Punyani (3 of 4)
My curiosity for science grew as I watched many science shows, and my family always encouraged me to follow my passion.
My vision has always been to contribute to the world of science, and role models in my family have helped me be an assertive, pragmatic, and compassionate leader.
My advice to young women pursuing STEM is to believe in yourself, view every challenge as an opportunity and be an agent of positive change.
Saswati Pujari (4 of 4)
I had a natural inclination for science, further inspired by my father, who worked as an engineer at a factory.
I was among 25 girls in a batch of 550 students during undergrad. The situation was much better when I went to graduate school in the US. The ratio of male to female was close to 1:1 in my department. Focusing on learning and research was much easier than worrying about gender.
I have had several female (and male) mentors throughout my career, both during graduate school and my industrial career. They have played a critical role in helping me make significant career and life decisions. I talked to my mentors about what career path to choose, how to balance young kids and a job, how to prioritise several seemingly high priorities, etc. Young women should have mentors who can give them varying opinions so that they can expand their thinking.
My advice to young girls pursuing STEM is to follow your heart and be confident that you will overcome difficulties when you face them. Create a network of supporters and champions who will be your troupe of cheerleaders.