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Biotechnology Careers for Women Need Family and Employer Support, Researcher Says
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Technology

Biotechnology Careers for Women Need Family and Employer Support, Researcher Says

From CNN Indonesia · (1h ago) Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A researcher highlights the challenges women face in building careers in biotechnology, particularly in senior positions.
  • The difficulty stems from a lack of employer support and the need for strong family backing to manage domestic responsibilities.
  • The researcher emphasizes that both families and employers must support women to ensure their career progression in the field.

In Indonesia, the burgeoning field of biotechnology, a critical sector for national health and scientific advancement, faces a significant hurdle: retaining and promoting its female talent. Dr. Carina Citra Dewi Joe, a distinguished scientist renowned for her role in the mass production of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, has shed light on this pressing issue. Her insights, shared during a CNN Indonesia forum commemorating Kartini Day, underscore a reality often overlooked in discussions about STEM careers – the profound impact of societal expectations and domestic responsibilities on women's professional trajectories.

Namun setelah meniti karir, di posisi-posisi tinggi, seperti direktur atau profesor, atau kepala riset, persentase perempuannya semakin menipis

— Carina Citra Dewi JoeDr. Carina Citra Dewi Joe observed that the percentage of women decreases significantly in high-ranking positions within the biotechnology field.

Dr. Joe's observation that the percentage of women dwindles significantly at higher echelons – director, professor, or head of research – is a stark indicator of systemic challenges. While the pipeline of female students entering biotechnology programs remains robust, their ability to sustain and advance their careers is frequently hampered by a lack of adequate support structures. This is not merely an individual struggle but a reflection of broader societal norms that often place the primary burden of domestic care on women.

From an Indonesian perspective, this issue is particularly poignant. Kartini Day itself celebrates the pioneering spirit of Raden Adjeng Kartini, an Indonesian national heroine who advocated for the education and emancipation of girls. Her legacy calls for women to pursue their ambitions, yet Dr. Joe's testimony reveals that societal structures have yet to fully align with this ideal. The need for "support from family also" and for partners to actively participate in childcare is a direct call for a more equitable distribution of domestic labor, a concept gaining traction but still far from universally practiced in Indonesia.

Mungkin karena mereka memiliki kewajiban lain, seperti mengurus keluarganya. Kurang support employer, dan harus ada dukungan dari keluarga juga

— Carina Citra Dewi JoeShe attributed the decline in women's career progression to domestic obligations, lack of employer support, and the necessity of family backing.

Furthermore, Dr. Joe's critique extends to employers, highlighting a "lack of support" from workplaces. This points to a need for more family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and a cultural shift within organizations to recognize and accommodate the dual roles many women play. For Indonesia to truly harness the full potential of its scientific talent and foster innovation in fields like biotechnology, it must create an environment where women are not forced to choose between their careers and their families. This requires a concerted effort from both households and institutions to champion women's professional growth.

Jadi keluarga atau pasangan harus membantu mengurus anak-anaknya juga tidak hanya dibebankan kepada istrinya saja

— Carina Citra Dewi JoeDr. Joe stressed the importance of shared domestic responsibilities, with partners and families assisting in childcare rather than solely burdening the wife.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CNN Indonesia in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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