For 2022’s International Women’s Day, Mastercard is collaborating with the Expo School Programme to host two ‘Girls4Tech’ sessions; facilitating gender parity and increased representation of women in the technology sector.
Hosted in both English and Arabic, ‘Girls4Tech‘ is Mastercard’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programme geared towards bridging the skills gap in the tech industry for primary school girls (aged between eight and 11), offering activities and curricula built on global science and math standards.
More than two million girls in 46 countries have benefited from the Girls4Tech programme so far, and Mastercard has a goal of reaching five million girls globally by 2025.
In the UAE, Mastercard had committed to reach 2,020 girls across the country before the end of Expo 2020 Dubai on March 31, 2022 – a milestone that was surpassed at the end of last year.
“International Women’s Day casts a spotlight on female participation in the workforce and the vital role they play in the economic prosperity of countries around the world. We want to ensure that this contribution continues to flourish, and we are pleased to partner with Expo 2020 Dubai and the Expo School Programme to accelerate these efforts,” comments Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.
“The Girls4Tech programme is part of our efforts to inspire the next generation and provide them with the tools and resources to innovate as they become tomorrow’s technology leaders.”
Alya Al Ali, Vice President, Expo School Programme, Expo 2020 Dubai added: “As Expo School Programme, part of our mission is to ensure students are at the heart of Expo 2020, but more importantly, we are here to make their visit a truly meaningful and inspiring one, a journey that will trigger new ideas and expand their worldview.
“Through our various initiatives, including our partnership with Mastercard, through Girls4Tech, we are excited to offer students a window into the many possibilities that the future holds while equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to make the most of these opportunities.”
As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, Mastercard has spotlighted many of its efforts to advance gender diversity at the world expo.
In October last year, Mastercard partnered with Female Fusion, the region’s largest network for women-owned businesses, to launch a series of workshops for women entrepreneurs at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020.
Mastercard will also be participating in the Expo 2020 International Women’s Day Forum hosted by the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020.
International Women’s Day will be held under the theme of ‘Break the Bias‘. Activities will bring visionaries, leaders, and innovators across sectors to shine a light on where bias shows up and how women and men around the world are dismantling it for a more equal tomorrow.
