Contributions of women in STEM workforce: P&G perspective


02/17/2023


As a company founded on the innovation our products have provided consumers for more than 185 years, we recognize the critical contributions women in science make — not only to our company's success, but to the success of our entire world.

Despite this, women make up only 28% of the STEM workforce today, and men vastly outnumber women in most STEM fields in college. Gender disparities are especially pronounced in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs, such as computer science and engineering. That is why, on International Women's Day (February 11th) and every day, P&G is committed to driving education, understanding, and action around some of the most pressing issues of gender equality in STEM.

It is critical that girls see themselves in STEM fields as they begin their career journeys. As one of the world's largest advertisers, we have the opportunity and responsibility to help diversify the voices we hear and images we see, including women in STEM.

We're also launching our We All Lead Series today, which will look at the power of young change-makers to inspire impact, remove bias, and ignite inclusive futures, with a focus on girls in STEM.

Capitalizing  Community Impact 
We understand that working alone will not result in gender equality. We also bring together partner organizations that share our commitment to gender equality and take action to increase our impact.

Girl Up is a girl-centered leadership development initiative that focuses on equity for girls and women in underrepresented spaces. P&G supports Girl Up's Annual Summit and leadership programs as part of their vision to reach one million leaders by 2030.

Girl Up manages a global network of regional affiliates that impact 195,000 girls and youth leaders in 152 countries and all 50 U.S. states, developing transformative leaders who advance gender justice globally.

Join us in taking action and inspiring more girl leaders like Varija Mehta to use STEM skills to solve problems in their communities.

Exploring Opportunities
For over 65 years, P&G Beauty brand OLAY's formulas have been powered by STEM professionals, and many of the scientists who develop these formulas are women.

This year marks the third year of OLAY's 10-year program to #FaceTheSTEMGap by assisting in the double and triple enrollment of women of color in STEM by 2030. OLAY announced its second $1 million commitment to efforts to close the STEM gap through four innovative initiatives that will provide young girls with mentorship and role models to help them overcome inequities.

OLAY hopes to demonstrate to girls that the future of STEM looks 'like them,' and that success is attainable, because when girls see it, they believe it.

Meet and learn from the female scientists who are driving OLAY's vision.

P&G Corporate joined forces with OLAY and the Dr. Ateh Jewel Education Foundation in a three-year commitment to provide donations and ongoing mentoring in order to level the playing field and better serve all consumers. This assistance enables aspiring Black and mixed-race female students to take their first steps toward a STEM career in the beauty industry.

We opened the doors to our Reading Innovation Center for fund beneficiaries to explore in order to further support program mentees in developing the skillsets and attributes required to realize their dreams of becoming leading experts in the cosmetic beauty industry. They toured the skincare labs and anti-counterfeit testing unit to learn how one of the market's leading beauty product manufacturers innovates with the consumer in mind.

For many students, this was their first chance to see the practical implications of what they were learning, proving that STEM education does not end with graduation and that a successful future in STEM is more than a possibility. The fund encourages students to see and believe that science is not solely male-dominated, and that there are opportunities for Black and mixed-race women to thrive in the industry and create products that are accessible to all.

We are committed to creating a world free of gender bias, with equal voice, equal opportunity, and equal representation for all individuals, in collaboration with our employees as innovators and leaders, our incredible and passionate partners, and the collaboration of young women around the world.