Two CDF STEM Femme Fellows drive tangible change by providing targeted digital training to women from marginalised backgrounds, and paving flexible avenues for their participation in the workforce.

The objective of CDF STEM Femme Fellowship was to select women technologists, mid-management professionals, social sector workers and students as STEM Femme Fellows, who would work over 6 months to enable women (participants) from underserved backgrounds to bridge the digital skills gap through targeted training, enabling them to enter the workforce or scale their small enterprises.

The STEM Femme fellows identified and onboarded women (participants) who possess basic computer literacy, and are motivated to pursue fractional employment or entrepreneurship, while navigating the restraints of various social barriers. The fellows facilitated targeted digital training to enhance the participants’ economic opportunities through project-based work, gainful part-time/full-time/flexible employment, digital microwork*, or advancing their own enterprises.

Why STEM Femme?

• India aims to become a $30 trillion economy by 2047.

• Women could contribute $14 trillion if India onboards 400 million women into the paid workforce through fractional employment.

• The Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) 2024 stands at 37% . Targeted Women FLFPR for 2047 is 70% or 400 million women.

• 200 million women in India do not step out of their homes even once.

• Nearly 30% women who reside in urban and peri-urban areas struggle with finding jobs that match their education levels, higher perceived value of domestic work compared to entry-level market jobs, and persistent wage disparities.

• In 2022-23, Kerala’s female LFPR was 31.3%.

Sources: Niti Aayog Viksit Bharat paper  (July 24)
DGE FLUI report (April 23)
Women in Workforce report by Magic Bus India Foundation
Kerala State Planning Board Economic Review, 2023

What fellows get

The fellowship presents a valuable opportunity for working professionals and young changemakers to drive measured change in bridging the gendered digital divide and facilitating gainful employment for women. By undertaking this 6-month part-time engagement , the fellows would also be enhancing their profiles with a skills palette ranging from complex problem-solving to creative tools and thus giving them a distinct edge in their careers. The STEM Femme fellows can also expect to gain the following benefits from the program:

• A total stipend of Rs. 60,000/- per fellow. Disbursed across 6 months.

• The opportunity to present the report and case studies to key stakeholders at the culmination of the fellowship.

• Capacity-building through targeted skills training.

• Networking opportunities with leaders from industry and the social sector.

• Certificate of fellowship.

Selection of STEM Femmes

The selection process for the STEM Femme Fellowship 2025 kicked off with CDF accepting applications from 15th November 2024 until 31st December 2024, drawing over 100 applicants from across Kerala and outside.

First round : 10 finalists were shortlisted by 10th January 2025 following a detailed review of the Statements of Purpose and phone interviews.

Second round : 2 Fellows were announced following a strategy presentation and personal interview. The interview panel comprised representatives from Citizen Digital Foundation, Women Inclusive in Technology, and aikyam fellows, evaluating the finalists on communication, attitude, social motivation, and resourcefulness.

The panel selected Ms. Sharon C and Ms. Fathima Hiba as the fellowship winners.

Skills training for fellows

• Communication session by Ms. Jazna Rafeek on 12th February 2025

• Project management session by Ms. Rashmi Mohandas on 20th February 2025

• Storytelling workshop residency by aikyam fellows on 25th-26th February 2025

• Fundraising and mobilisation session by Ms. Labby George on 25th February 2025

Skills training for participants

• First training session for Calicut participants on 27th March 2025

• First training session for Trivandrum participants on 28th March 2025

• In-person training day for Trivandrum cohort on 25th April 2025

• In-person training day for Calicut cohort on 30th April 2025