The Kerala Paradox: Educated Women, Unequal Opportunity & Why Talent Should Decide

Описание: In this episode of the Femme Force Podcast, Rachael sits down with Ann Mary Shibu to explore the “Kerala Paradox”, a powerful example of how education doesn’t always translate into opportunity. With a 96% female literacy rate but only 30% workforce participation, Ann Mary uses data to highlight the gap between achievement and access. From her journey moving from India to the United States to pursuing a master’s in data science, Ann Mary shares how cultural expectations, wage disparities, and systemic barriers continue to shape women’s careers. This conversation challenges the idea that education alone is enough and highlights the need for action, advocacy, and systems that reward talent, not gender.