Entain launches global initiative to support women in tech

London-listed betting and gaming operator Entain is marking International Women’s Day with a number of new initiatives aimed at supporting girls and young women around the world in building careers in technology.

Entain has partnered with Girls Who Code and the Tech Girls Movement Foundation, two organisations that work to promote young women’s participation in technology and STEM (science, technology engineering and mathematics) subjects.

International non-profit Girls Who Code will receive US$250,000 from the Entain Foundation to support its global programmes to bring young women into the technology industry, most notably in the UK, US, Canada and India.

Australia’s Tech Girls Movement Foundation will receive AUD$50,000 in funding, helping it to continue to challenge gender perceptions that limit girls’ participation in STEM subjects through community and industry collaborations and mentoring.

“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,” said Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Entain’s first female chief executive.

“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.”

Dr. Tarika Barrett, incoming CEO of Girls Who Code, said that the funding will enable the organisation to continue to expand its global pipeline of programmes to spark girls’ interest in technology.

“Passionate, ambitious and diverse young women are the key to transforming the world and the technical workforce. This International Women's Day, we're excited to partner with the Entain Foundation to support young women around the world on their journey into the technical workforce,” Dr. Barrett added. “Our work together will help spur the creation of a fairer and more equitable workforce, helping more women of all backgrounds rise to the top and achieve their goals of working in tech.”

Dr Jenine Beekhuyzen, founder & CEO of Tech Girls Movement, commented: “We strongly believe that the challenges of the future are best addressed through youth-focused initiatives. The profile, affiliations and notable gains of Techgirls thus far have created a momentum that places us in the best position for continued achievement of these crucial objectives. Our flagship programme, the Techgirls competition, is held annually and invites teams of schoolgirls to solve real-world problems through technology, linking them to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“The financial contribution from Entain Foundation will directly impact our ability to reach girls interested in technology across Australia, particularly in regional and remote areas.”