Industry Forum to Collectively Increase Participation of Women in STEM Careers

RBS India, in association with prominent technology corporates, academia, and government bodies, has set up an exclusive ‘By Invite Only’ platform - ‘WomenInTech’ -comprising senior leaders and representatives from industry organisations with the agenda of working towards encouraging more women to choose 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.

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 female talent.

Anuranjita Kumar, Managing Director & 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 the 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 sponsor at least three students to pursue careers in engineering. Immediate steps have been divided into three core workstreams:

1. Engage (Entry Level - Schools, Colleges) - To work towards creating awareness among young women about career opportunities in STEM,

2. Enable (Junior & Mid-Management) - Provide scholarships for the economically weaker section of people, and

3. Empower (Leadership) - Help increase the employability of women from STEM careers

Neha Bagaria, Founder & CEO of JobsForHer, and Core Committee Member of the RBS WIT program said, “Initiatives like these are critical in moving the diversity needle in India and creating opportunities to engage, enable and empower women to participate and achieve in the Indian workforce.”

The ‘WomenInTech’ forum will provide mentoring where needed, workplace conveniences that enable 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.