The Indian IT sector, recognised as a global leader, is poised for significant growth. With projections estimating IT sales could surpass $300 billion by 2030, India’s IT industry is a major player in the field. This sector’s advancements, including cloud computing, AI, and digital transactions, have permeated everyday life.
Given this transformative impact, let’s examine how CSR initiatives in tech can contribute to social development, particularly in empowering women, especially those from marginalised backgrounds. These initiatives must aim to enhance women’s financial independence and enable them to share their newfound skills with their communities.
CSR Strategies of Tech Companies for Women Empowerment
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in India has evolved, with the Companies Act of 2013 mandating companies of a certain size to allocate at least 2% of their average net profits to CSR activities. This regulation has spurred corporate engagement in various social and environmental initiatives. In the IT sector, CSR initiatives increasingly focus on women’s empowerment, addressing gender disparities, and promoting inclusive growth.
Leading IT firms like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro have implemented programmes targeting women’s advancement. For example, TCS’s Rebegin programme aids women returning to the workforce, while also bridging the gender gap in the IT sector, fostering diversity, and driving sustainable growth.
Plan of Action
Access to digital tools and knowledge is vital for young girls and underserved women to thrive. Tech companies can collaborate with social development organisations to bridge the digital divide by focusing on education, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.
Empowering Young Girls through Educational Technology
Tech companies can significantly impact young girls’ education by integrating technology into learning environments. Initiatives like scholarships for STEM education, coding boot camps, and educational apps are pivotal. By partnering with schools and NGOs, tech companies can ensure that girls in underserved areas gain access to quality education and digital tools, paving the way for future technology careers.
Mission Education, our flagship initiative, is dedicated to providing quality education to underserved children across India. The curriculum is meticulously crafted to align with the NEP 2020 guidelines and emphasise STEM education.
To support and inspire girls with a demonstrated aptitude and interest in science and technology, Smile Foundation offers scholarships for engineering studies. This initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder their pursuit of a career in engineering, allowing them to realise their aspirations and achieve their academic and professional goals.
Training Women Entrepreneurs in Tech Skills
Women entrepreneurs often face challenges in utilising technology to enhance their businesses. Tech CSR initiatives can address this by offering training programmes in digital skills crucial for modern business operations. Workshops on digital marketing, e-commerce, and data analytics can empower rural women entrepreneurs, leading to increased business efficiency and growth opportunities.
Promoting Digital Financial Literacy for Women
Digital financial literacy is essential for underserved women to manage their finances and participate fully in the economy. Tech companies can support this through initiatives that teach women how to use digital banking, investment platforms, and budgeting tools. IT companies can design CSR programmes to help women gain confidence in using digital financial services, enabling them to make informed financial decisions and gain economic independence.
Ensuring Accessible Technology for All Women
Accessibility is a key aspect of digital inclusion. Tech companies should lead by developing products and services that are inclusive of all women, including those with disabilities. This includes designing accessible websites, creating adaptive technologies, and providing assistive devices.
Women Empowerment through Technology With Smile
Tech CSR initiatives can profoundly empower women and young girls by enhancing their access to technology and digital resources. By focusing on education, entrepreneurial training, financial literacy, career support, and accessibility, IT companies can contribute to reducing gender gaps and fostering an inclusive digital economy.
Smile Foundation’s Swabhiman programme exemplifies these efforts by empowering women with digital knowledge, enabling them to build safer and dignified futures. An extension of Smile Foundation’s lifecyle approach, Swabhiman provides marginalised women with the training and resources needed to adapt to technological advancements.
Focusing on Entrepreneurship Development and Digital Financial Literacy, the programme operates across eight states in India, equipping women with modern technology skills. In 2023, we reached over 150,000 women, successfully integrating technology into their businesses and creating sustainable futures for their families. These initiatives not only benefit individual women but also drive broader societal and economic growth.
Today, Indian tech companies are driving India to the forefront of global technological advancement. Their engagement in the women’s empowerment movement has the potential to be a game changer for underserved women and girls across the country. By providing support and resources, these companies enable young women to acquire valuable skills and knowledge. This empowerment not only deepens individual growth but also equips communities with the tools to access a world of opportunities and independence, creating a lasting impact for generations to come.
Empower underserved women and young girls with the power of technology. Partner with Smile today!
