vivo’s ‘Women in STEM’ Initiative on a Path to Bridge Gender Gap
India is at the epicenter of growth and innovation, especially with the strides it has made in STEM education over the last decade, producing nearly 5–10 million STEM graduates annually1. This shift has created a ripple effect, transforming perceptions of women entering STEM fields, which were predominantly male-dominated. Today, 28% of women2 in India, across various socio-economic backgrounds, are more likely to be employed compared to their male counterparts—thanks to the efforts of catalysts committed to empowering young girls and women to pursue careers in STEM and bridge the pay divide.
One such story is vivo India’s CSR initiative, Women in STEM—a catalyst aimed at helping meritorious young girls from challenging backgrounds in India by providing scholarships, mentorship and customized learning sessions to help them transition into the corporate world.
Recently, vivo India, along with their implementation partner, the Shooting Stars Foundation, marked a significant milestone for its Women in STEM program by felicitating young beneficiaries from Delhi and NCR with scholarships. The ceremony, held at the vivo India Corporate Office in Gurugram, honored these young women who have overcome significant challenges to carve out a niche for themselves and build successful careers in STEM fields. These beneficiaries were also able to experience the real-life functionality of a corporate workspace, interact with vivo’s leadership and assimilate into the values that one requires to excel in the field of technology.
Many of these women, coming from humble backgrounds, aspire to work at leading organizations, proving that with the right support, training, and guidance, one’s potential is limitless.
The Women in STEM initiative has always been more than just a program for vivo India. vivo is deeply committed to creating opportunities for young women and opening avenues that propel them toward careers in STEM fields, helping them elevate their skillset and become workforce-ready. Since 2023, vivo has brought many opportunities to these women, offering not only financial aid but also mentorship and exposure to the world of STEM.
Sharing their experiences on meeting with the leadership, Nishu Pandey, third-year student of Electronics & Communications with AI said, “The vivo office experience was more than what I had imagined. Everyone we interacted with through the sessions were kind, polite and interactive. They made us feel like we are already a part of the workforce, inspiring us to keen on working hard in order to excel in our respective domains.”
Akshika Dhankhar, a third-year student of Computer Science Engineering, Artificial Intelligence on receiving the support from the Women in STEM initiative shared, “Suddenly, the weight of the financial burdens was lifted off my shoulders and I could wholeheartedly concentrate on my studies. In fact, I was no longer hesitant about exploring different avenues that would help me excel in my career and was able to get an internship post receiving the scholarship. The Women in STEM initiative has motivated me to keep growing to achieve my end goal of becoming an entrepreneur.”
The grit of these young girls is commendable – from the challenges they overcome and the obstacles they cross to pursuing a passion that known to bounds and as Chanda Jha, third-year student of Electronics & Communications with AI rightly puts it, “you are your own competition and the only obstacle you need to overcome is yourself.”
As vivo continues to work towards its Women in STEM initiative, the impact is evident not just in the lives of these young women, but also in the ripple effect it creates in their communities. By offering financial assistance, mentorship, and hands-on experience, vivo is empowering a new generation of women to break barriers and thrive in fields that were once out of reach.
1Analytics India Magazine 2024 Article on STEM Education
2The Quantum Hub, Women in STEM – Challenges and Opportunities in India, Authors: Devika Oberai, Sayak Sinha, Srijan Rai, Published: February 2024