12 Oct 2023
Olay has always believed in gender equality and since its inception, it has had a deep understanding of women’s needs via science. It also has a 50/50 male-female management mix in its organization and has invested a huge sum in scholarships and learning tools for more than 250 underprivileged girls. This has seen a considerable increase in STEM scores in all its scholars.
In 2021, Olay started the #STEMtheGap initiative in India to spread awareness about the STEM gender gap. The program received a great response. In 2023, it will be rolling out the new instalment of Olay’s #STEMTheGap initiative that aims to talk about the lack of female role models and mentors. It will initiate this 10-year program just before the International Day of the Girl Child.
Olay India mentors young girls in many ways. It has just released a digital film that showcases India’s legacy of women in STEM such as, Dr. Anandibai Joshi, Kalpana Chawla, Kamala Sohonie, Dr. Janaki Ammal, among others. It also talks about the requirement for similar role models in STEM in the present scenario.
Olay has also started the beta version of an online virtual chat mentor that aims to provide young girls the necessary guidance to enter the STEM world. In addition, Olay has collaborated with vLookUp to offer girls pursuing higher education a portal to connect with STEM mentors online. Over 300 sign-ups were recorded in the past year, with carefully chosen participants engaging in four-month mentorship programs facilitated by volunteers from P&G and partner companies. This program completes the mentorship journey from virtual mentorship to connections with experts in the field. Lastly, it has partnered with LEAD, India’s premier School EdTech provider to sponsor scholarships for more than 250 underprivileged girls for STEM education and job opportunities.
