Women make up only 14% of the workforce in India's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields, according to the UN.
Leading skincare brand Olay believes that the world needs more women in STEM and that it is time to change the STEM gender gap equation in India. As a brand of science, but also proudly a brand of women, Olay believes that the world needs more women in STEM and that it is time to change the STEM gender gap equation in India.
Women are perceived as caretakers or homemakers, and female areas of study are limited to teaching, nursing, fine arts, and home economics, among other things, due to cultural constraints and conventional gender roles. That's why Olay created its 'STEM The Gap (/topic/stem-the-gap)' project, which encourages more Indian females to pursue STEM education and employment without fear. Olay has partnered with LEAD, India's leading School EdTech company, to develop a STEM scholarship programme for females.
LEAD collaborates with approximately 3000 schools to provide world level education to over 1.2 million kids, the majority of whom come from low-income homes. LEAD improves schools through assisting instructors in developing curriculum and identifying ways to effectively communicate topics to pupils, as well as procuring books and other high-quality materials. LEAD is the right partner for Olay's STEM scholarship programme because of its dedication to high-quality education in locations where it would not otherwise be available. The winners will get a high-quality education and experience, allowing them to follow their hobbies and interests.
Olay has been subsidising tuition fees, tablets, and data packs for females in six Indian states since 2021. With the backdrop of the pandemic, the latter two are especially important: many families do not have multiple smartphones or devices at home, so providing tech-enabled solutions to ensure the girls can continue learning, even in an online or hybrid environment of physical and digital classrooms, is extremely important.
Speaking about the 'STEM The Gap' programme, Priyali Kamath, Senior Vice President, Skin & Personal Care - Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Procter & Gamble (P&G), stated, "Olay is a brand deeply rooted in science, and with 50 per cent of our scientists being women, we know that girls have the potential to become amazing scientists. With more and more jobs becoming STEM-based, we believe it's our collective responsibility to prepare girls for the jobs of the future. That is why we are committed to helping close the gender gap in STEM. Our scholarship program with LEAD is already making a real and meaningful difference today, and we are excited to be part of driving a positive future for girls in India. Together, let's 'STEM The Gap."
Sumeet Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of LEAD, stated, "Olay's scholarships are extremely meaningful and will enable the girls to pursue their passions and interests. Our mission at LEAD is to take excellent education to every child by transforming schools, especially in small towns. Our partnership with Olay will further allow us to create value for students and democratize learning irrespective of where one goes to school. The early years are foundational for girls, and we are proud to be partnering on this cause to make a positive difference and work towards closing the gender gap in STEM."
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