Harshvendra Soin, Global Chief People Officer & Head- Marketing, Tech Mahindra said, “At Tech Mahindra, we believe that enhancing the capabilities and leveraging the strengths of women serve as a strategic differentiator. We are working towards building future-ready talent across niche digital skills such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, XDS (Customer Experience), deep tech, and space technology, among others. We are also hiring candidates with a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education as they are adept in digital skills and new-age technologies.
We firmly believe in the transformative power of gender parity and have demonstrated this through our efforts to offer equitable opportunities, cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture, prioritize wellness, and support the authenticity of our associates. Our policies not only promote a sense of belonging but also enable associates to flourish in a purpose-driven and empowering environment. We have various programs such as COLORS, Mentoring Tables, Role Model Series, fAIM, Women Leaders, etc. to give women opportunities to develop their careers.”
Rituparna Mandal, General Manager, MediaTek Bangalore said, “Each International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an opportunity to re-evaluate our efforts towards gender parity and women’s empowerment, while also recalibrating sustainable initiatives to bridge the gap between STEM and women. It is imperative that the global STEM ecosystem step up and provide women and girls with innovative upskilling opportunities and technology-based education, starting from the grassroots, to unlock a sustainable future for the planet and humankind.”
Neha Bharill, Prof, Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Mahindra University said “The Union Budget 2023 has enabled women self-help groups (SHGs) to reach the next stage of economic empowerment by providing them with raw material supply, branding and marketing of products. A new one-time small saving scheme called the Mahila Samman Saving certificate was also announced during the budget. Mahindra University is spearheading upskilling initiatives for greater female enrolment in STEM to bring in more inclusivity in the fields. We are changing the paradigm by promoting a dynamic, diverse and gender-neutral studying and working environment along with encouraging and promoting women associates to grow professionally. We are taking steps to ensure that women that are taking pursuing STEM get ample opportunities and facilities. Not only this, but we are also hosting gender sensitization and equality workshops to raise awareness.”
Sqn Ldr Dimple Rawat (Retd), Director HR at Barco India said, “Indian IT industry has shown immense improvement in bridging the gender gap and empowering women in technology. Industry reports states, women now make up 34% of the IT workforce in India, and the country is now almost at 50:50 gender parity rate in STEM graduates. Additionally, organizations needs to imply continuous and intentional approach to strengthen equality and equity by creating appropriate ecosystem and policies such as flexi-work, care giving support, equal pay, and empower women with the right learning skills, networking, and mentoring opportunities to accelerate their career path and to assist them build long-term careers in tech”.
Neha Bagaria, founder & CEO of JobsForHer said “Honoring the accomplishments of women and girls in science works towards dispelling myths and false beliefs about who can succeed in these fields. This can inspire and encourage a greater number of young women and girls to explore careers in science and technology, thereby promoting diversity and inclusiveness within the industry. The presence of a more substantial representation of women and girls in science and technology is critical to make sure that their unique views and experiences are taken into account when creating new technologies and making policies. It is uplifting to see women making substantial contributions in the fields of technology research and development, participating in innovative and pioneering projects, and leading the way in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and biotechnology. At JobsForHer, the platform experienced a 2.7-fold rise in the number of women searching for tech positions during the 2021-2022 period.”
Shalini Nair, Co-Founder and Board Director, Ennoventure Inc, said “On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we celebrate the immense contributions made by women and girls in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Despite facing numerous challenges and barriers, women and girls have made significant strides in STEM and have opened new avenues for discovery, innovation, and progress.
However, we must also recognize that there is still much work to be done to achieve gender equality in STEM. Women and girls continue to face discrimination, unequal pay, and a lack of representation in leadership positions. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that they have the support and opportunities they need to pursue their passions and reach their full potential in STEM. We must invest in education and training programs that encourage girls to pursue careers in STEM, and we must work to create a culture that values the contributions of all scientists, regardless of gender. Only by doing so can we create a more inclusive, equitable, and innovative scientific community.
At Ennoventure, we take great pride in recognizing the efforts of our women employees. We have created an environment for women to flourish and prosper in their careers in science as well as encourage them to upskill themselves to become future leaders.”
