Mastercard leads the launch of WomenInTech Forum in Pune

• Mastercard launched the Pune Edition of WomenInTech forum in association with technology companies, industry experts, NGOs, Government, and academia in the city.
• The forum will work towards developing interventions to increase the participation of girls and women in science and technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and related careers in the region.

Taking forward its commitment to empowering women in technology, Mastercard today facilitated the launch of the Pune edition of WomenInTech (WiT) – a unique forum, comprising of a select group of members from leading companies in the country, that will work towards enhancing the participation of women in science and technology education and careers.

The inaugural event, hosted by Mastercard at the Westin, Pune, witnessed participation from leading technology companies, industry experts, think tanks, NGOs, Government, and academia. The participants discussed various opportunities and challenges towards increasing the participation of women in technology workforce as well as spreading awareness about education in science and technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

According to Mastercard STEM Research 2018, 93 percent girls surveyed in India between 12 to 14-years consider STEM-related careers early on. However, 38 percent Indian teenage girls believe that they are ‘less likely’ to take up STEM because the industry is ‘male-dominated’. Mastercard is working with different stakeholders to change this perception and drive the interest of young girls and women in STEM. Through its signature programme, Girls4Tech, Mastercard has reached 1,85,000 girls through more than 300 events conducted across 25 countries. In addition, Mastercard’s philanthropy arm, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, has also partnered with Mann Deshi Foundation in Maharashtra to increase rural women’s access to financial networks, training and markets.

WomenInTech aims to make improvements and execute an industry-wide plan to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM. Various interventions will be planned by the Pune chapter to engage young girls in schools and colleges, enable junior to mid-level executives as well as empower women to take up and grow in leadership positions. The WiT forum was founded in 2018 in Delhi by RBS, India.

“The forum addresses the need to work collectively as an industry to ensure that workplaces not only promote more girls to take up education and careers in STEM, but also are conducive for working women to aspire for senior level roles. We are proud to have Mastercard lead this in Pune" said Anuranjita Kumar, Head of HR- International Hubs, RBS and Chairperson WiT.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sukanyya Misra, senior vice president, Mastercard Technology Pvt Ltd. said, “Mastercard has been committed to create a digitally empowered, inclusive society in India. And this can’t be possible without empowering women both financially and in the space of technology. Our collaboration with WiT is a step further for us in that direction and an opportunity for us to work together with our peers towards this cause. That is why we are delighted to host the WomenInTech forum’s launch in Pune. It will pave the way for collaboration among different stakeholders towards making a big socio-economic difference.”