IBM convened a high-level multi-stakeholder roundtable to commemorate the third anniversary of its STEM for Girls initiative in India and also observe the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. The event focused on recognizing the role of women and girls in science as beneficiaries and as agents of change. During the event, 11 schoolgirls championing in the STEM space shared their accomplishments and aspirations in the presence of key stakeholders such as Mathew Joseph, Country Director, American India Foundation and Aakash Sethi, CEO, Quest Alliance and Dr.NishaMendiratta, Advisor & Scientist G, Climate Change Programme, who represented the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
In the last three years, IBM has conducted various programs under the initiative to empower over 2,00,000 government schoolgirls and 1,00,000 boys to pursue STEM education. These students hail from various districts across 12 states – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Nagaland, and Uttarakhand.
Sharing his thoughts on this milestone, Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India, said, “We launched the STEM For Girls Program in India in 2019 to shape girls’ education and career pathways in schools. Today, we empower over 330K learners across 12 states with STEM skills, and it is a very proud moment for all of us. Our collaboration with various State Governments has helped advocate and create awareness at the school level and provide holistic support to teachers and educators on curating inclusive practices to promote girls in technology. For IBM, driving STEM education for girls, creating more job opportunities, and helping women sustain their STEM jobs is a key strategic focus. As part of the program, we also support stronger knowledge development and training in technology. This initiative is also helping our girl students make informed career choices, through the ‘IBM mentors’ program.”
According to theAll India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2018-19 by the Ministry of Education, women constitute nearly 43 percent of the total STEM enrolments in the country. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to expand conversations around STEM for girls and reduce the gender gap in STEM jobs.
IBM STEM for Girls Initiative is an important step towards helping realise the Skill India and Digital India mission and nurture a diverse and robust talent pool to serve the needs of the industry in India, for India and the world.
