Educate-Enable-Inspire-Empower- Completing the Circle of Inclusion

Representation of women in the technology organizations has been a topic of deliberation for a long while. While the ratio of women opting for STEM courses in technology streams is increasing bit by bit, we still have not been able to deal with numerous barriers that women face to continue in the path of building a technology career.  

The challenge is even profound among girls from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Apart from barriers like career stereotypes and cultural biases, they also face lack of inspiration and role models around them. Even if they pursue their studies in STEM, it is more likely that they would drop off from the Technology workforce even before starting off, due to lack of role-models, support system and an encouraging environment around them.

With the sponsorship of Christian Klein, Co-CEO of SAP, SAP Labs in India & China is proud to launch “Girls Power Tech”.

“Girls power Tech” opens window of opportunities for bright girl students who do not have access to technical experiences and mentors, to have internship experience in SAP.

SAP has been doing some pioneering work in educating girl students in STEM through our CSR initiatives like Code Unnati. Now we are taking the next step. These girl students would be invited for internships to SAP Labs offices in India and China. They would be provided with career mentors and hands-on project experiences. They would learn latest technology offerings, attend boot camps and acquire career enhancing skills that will help them in the transition from campus to tech career. They would also have an opportunity to work with women leaders and experts and learn from their career journeys.

Some of the mentoring relationships would continue beyond the internship period. We also intend to open opportunities of employment for them, thus truly enabling and bridging the gap between education and employment.

SAP has a great culture of connecting employees with purpose. Through “Girls Power Tech” SAP employees get the opportunity to give back and play the role of a career mentor and guide for the girls and take responsibility of their learning.

As Christian says “At SAP, we believe in not only creating a culture of inclusion within the organization, but also in extending it externally to those who are not as fortunate as us. Through â€œGirls Power Tech”, our effort is to go beyond the STEM initiatives in school and colleges and bring world class technology experiences and career opportunities at their doorstep of these girls. That, in the true sense, would be completing the circle of inclusion”

Some of these girls could be tomorrow’s technology leaders. This is a small step that can really change the direction their life and give them the right impetus for a bright career.

Girls have a significant role to play in the “Digital Economies” and initiatives like “Girls Power Tech” ensures that this does not get limited to only a few.