Entain ramps up support for Women in Tech
FTSE 100 operator seals partnerships with global charities to support women in STEM career fields
Entain has pledged almost $300,000 (£216,000) to a series of international initiatives to support girls and young women interested in developing careers in technology.
The announcement, which coincides with International Women’s Day, will see the operator make the charitable donation via its Entain Foundation arm.
Girls Who Code, an international non-profit group working to close the gender gap in technology, is set to receive $250,000 to support its global programmes, with an emphasis on the UK, the US, Canada and India.
The Tech Girls Movement Foundation in Australia is in line to receive A$50,000 (£27,722) from Entain. The charity challenges gender misconceptions around women’s participation in STEM careers, and also provides mentorship schemes for young women looking to break into the field.
Jette Nygaard-Andersen, who became Entain’s first-ever female CEO when she replaced Shay Segev in January 2020, said these donations would help combat “preconceived notions” in society against women.
Nygaard-Andersen said: “I’m proud to be leading a global technology company which is making real strides in promoting women’s careers, not just in the West, but also developing markets like India where creating opportunities for young women is especially important.
“One of the biggest impediments to career choices around the world continues to be cultural, based on preconceived notions of what society and young women themselves believe they can do.
“That is why we are focusing on initiatives to support their education and build stronger pathways into technology-related careers,” she added.
Dr. Tarika Barrett, incoming CEO of Girls Who Code, commented: “This funding will help Girls Who Code continue to expand its global pipeline of programmes to spark girls’ interest in technology.”