Dr. Ambika Behl - Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi

In 2022, I became the first woman to receive the IRC Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Birth Centenary Award for my contributions in the field of Highway Engineering. I was also felicitated by the Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways Sh. Nitin Gadkariji for my work in Sustainable Road Construction Technologies.
Dr. Ambika Behl, Senior Principal Scientist at CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi

I am fortunate to work with an esteemed organization like CSIR-CRRI for more than 17 years.

My journey in the construction sector started in 2005 as a technical executive in a private construction chemical company and then as a scientist in the Central Road Research Institute in the year 2007. It has been an experiential journey full of both learning and excitement. I developed processes, technologies, materials and did several R&D works in the field of highway engineering. I also worked on highway construction sites for implementation of various sustainable road construction technologies and have delivered projects across various geographies of the country.

The initial years were very challenging, but they gave me a lot of learnings and experiences to further develop my skills, and the resilience and determination to pave my career path.

My core areas of work are Flexible Pavement Materials, Polymer Modified Bitumen, Warm Mix Asphalt, Recycling of Pavements, use of Waste Materials in road construction, and Sustainable Road Construction Practices.

I developed waste PVC modified bitumen by depolymerizing waste PVC and making it compatible with bitumen. This helped in waste disposal as well as enhanced the performance properties of the asphalt. After successful completion of the project, I patented the process. Later I worked on many processes and methodologies for sustainable road construction.

I was the first in India to earn a PhD in Warm Mix Asphalt. I delivered 15 field projects where implementation of Warm Mix Asphalt technology was done. This gained me the required space in this male dominated field. I was now being listened to and my opinions and suggestions valued. Though things have improved a little now, stereotypes and biases still exist, affecting how women engineers are perceived.

Construction sites at times involve working at odd hours and at remote locations, which is not just physically exhaustive but has its own challenges for a woman, both socially and physically. For a long time, I was given mainly lab testing work till one day I went up to my head of department and requested him to give me a field job. I started taking up projects and despite many obstacles I never gave up my determination to introduce innovations in the field of bituminous road construction. As I revisit my journey as a young woman scientist in 2007, I recollect the challenges I faced as a woman engineer:

Gender Bias: In India, construction remains a male dominated field, and being a woman, it gets challenging to earn the same respect and confidence, despite doing the same work with dedication. Gaining confidence of concessionaires and co-workers as regards my engineering skills was a challenge. Initially, I was allotted more lab-based works since there was a notion that a woman may not perform well on sites. I often used to hear “you won’t be able to do this or you can’t do that”.

Underrepresentation: Women are often underrepresented in the field of civil engineering, particularly in leadership roles. This lack of representation makes it challenging for women to find mentors and role models.

Site Culture: Sometimes the workplace culture on construction sites is not inclusive or supportive of women. This can create an uncomfortable or hostile environment, making it difficult for women to thrive in their career.

Networking Challenges: Building profes- sional networks is crucial for career growth. Women do face challenges in networking, especially in male-dominated environments where networking events and opportunities may not be with inclusivity in mind. You know what I am saying: those typical networking evening get togethers are a challenge for women.

Balancing Work and Family: In the initial years of my career my challenges were twofold as I had to balance my job, family. and PhD studies. The demands of project timelines often clash with personal or family commitments.

It is true that while discussions on gender equality are held on various platforms, practical life often reveals instances of discrimination.

We do have a large community who starts questioning or judging a woman if she is overcommitted to work and travels extensively. Why does a woman have to prove her dutifulness towards family responsibilities if she is attending to work commitments? I strongly believe that professionalism has no gender. Professionalism is being reliable, setting your own high standards, and showing that you care about every aspect of your job.

Balancing dual responsibilities at home and work is often challenging for women due to societal expectations and traditional gender roles. The pressure to excel both professionally and domestically can be emotionally and physically taxing and women often experience guilt about not meeting the perceived societal expectations in both roles. The pressure to excel at home and at work simultaneously contribute to feelings of inadequacy and stress which ultimately affects one’s mental health.

The question that while there's a call for women to refrain from reservations to achieve genuine equality, there seems to be less emphasis on promoting equal sharing of domestic responsibilities among men. It highlights an important aspect of the broader conversation around gender equality. Certainly, societal expectations and norms often place a disproportionate burden on women when it comes to domestic responsibilities. This can include tasks such as childcare, housekeeping, and caregiving. If the focus is solely on women achieving equality in the professional sphere without addressing this imbalance at home, it might hinder genuine progress toward overall gender equality.

Women are often expected to manage both professional and domestic responsibilities which is a "double burden." To achieve true gender equality, there should be a reshaping of societal expectations regarding the roles of men and women both at home and in the workplace. This requires challenging stereotypes and promoting a more inclusive understanding of the roles that individuals can play both in their professional and personal lives.

Family support is instrumental in creating an environment where women can thrive in their professional journeys.

The emotional, logistical, and cultural support at home empowers women to pursue and succeed in their chosen careers. I am lucky to have that support. My husband, and in-laws took care of our little daughter when I was away to IIT Roorkee for 6 months to complete my PhD. 12 years back I could jump into the rollercoaster ride of further studies - all because of them.

Facing challenges and setbacks in a career is inevitable; but having family members who offer emotional support can help women navigate the difficulties with resilience and confidence. I would like to convey a big thanks to my husband for creating an environment where domestic responsibilities are shared, allowing me to balance my professional and personal duties effectively. Apart from the support at home, his vast professional experience provides me valuable career guidance and mentorship, which often helps me in making informed decisions and navigate challenges at the workplace. A supportive family celebrates a woman's professional achievements, no matter how big or small. Recognizing and acknowledging accomplishments fosters confidence and motivation, contributing positively to career growth.

The world needs many more women leaders in civil engineering.

My message to emerging women civil engineers and professionals is: Be a go-getter. The field of civil engineering is dynamic, with new technologies and methodologies are emerging regularly. So, stay curious and be open to learning. Opportunities for professional development will not come to you; you will have to seek them out. And don’t allow others to define you and your capabilities as a woman. Trust in your abilities and believe that you have the capacity to excel in every aspect of engineering. Don't be afraid to tackle complex problems and take on new projects. Each challenge you overcome will add to your experience and strengthen your skills.

Be your own advocate in the workplace; your skills and contributions are not defined by gender. Celebrate your achievements both big and small. The journey will have its ups and downs. Let your passion and motivation keep you going. Always remember, you are not just entering a profession; you are contributing to shaping the future of infrastructure in our country. Embrace the journey and be confident of your capabilities.