Industry Forum to collectively increase participation of Women in STEM Careers
RBS India in association with prominent technology corporates, Academia and government participation has setup an exclusive ‘By Invite Only’ platform ‘WomenInTech’ comprising of senior leaders and representatives from industry organisations with the agenda of working towards encouraging more women to take up careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) as a key career choice.
The forum was officially launched in the presence of Amo Kalar, Deputy Director, Trade Economics and Prosperity, British High Commission in Delhi today.
With 2.5-3 million new jobs predicted to be created by 2025 in the IT&ITES sector alone, the technology industry in India is the fifth largest contributor to the nation’s GDP. The uniqueness of roles, as well as working conditions in this sector puts it in a strong position to attract women talent.
Anuranjita Kumar, Managing Director and Head of International Hubs, RBS said, “RBS India has facilitated the setting-up of the industry forum – ‘WomenInTech’ to help accelerate the national agenda of Beti Bachao, Beti Padao and further work in alignment with the UN’s focus area this year – ‘Turning promises into action’. The forum will address the need for policy making collectively as an industry to ensure that workplaces prod more girls to take up careers in STEM on one end; and on the other hand are conducive for working women to aspire for senior level roles. Disruption is not by technology but by people who have vision to change things. It is this vision that we believe, will help create role models for the next generation to take this leap forward”
Working towards specific goals, the forum aims to immediately start work with educational NGO’s in the space and being able to sponsor at least three students to pursue careers in engineering. Immediate steps have been divided under three core workstreams.
- Engage (Entry level- Schools, Colleges) – To work towards creating awareness among young women about career opportunities in STEM,
- Enable (Junior and Mid management level) – Provide scholarships for economically weaker section of people, and
- Empower (Leadership level) – Help increase the employability of women from STEM careers
‘WomenInTech’ forum will provide mentoring where needed, providing workplace conveniences that helps a steady work life balance, as well as constant upskilling that draws a definitive career path leading to the top, which is the need of the hour.
Deloitte is supporting the forum as a knowledge partner, and will take the responsibility to constantly fact-check and tie-in the needs with that of the industry and the Government’s narrative and agenda on this.
