Dr. Pranaya Joshi

When Women Lead, Technology Becomes a Force for Autonomy

For too long, education has treated tribal and underserved communities as passive recipients of knowledge rather than creators of it. The same system that claims to uplift often alienates, forcing students to learn in ways detached from their lived realities. Nowhere is this more evident than in STEM, where girls—especially those from Indigenous backgrounds—are systematically excluded.

At Scigram Technologies Foundation, we refuse to accept this status quo. Through Metaknowledger, we are rewriting the script. We aren’t just introducing technology—we are embedding it within cultural and scientific traditions, making computational thinking a tool for agency, not just employment. Tribal girls in our program aren’t just “learning STEM”—they are building climate-monitoring systems in the Western Ghats, extracting DNA using locally available materials, and mapping land-use changes with NASA Landsat data. They are not passive learners; they are problem-solvers, builders, and innovators shaping the future of their own communities.

This is not about charity or “giving access.” This is about removing systemic barriers, challenging outdated structures, and ensuring that technology serves the people who need it most. 

As a WomenLift Health leader, I am committed to ensuring that scientific literacy is not limited by geography, gender, or privilege. Because when women lead in education, we don’t just teach—we transform entire communities.

Dr. Pranaya Joshi
Scigram Technologies Foundation