AXA commits to support STEM education for 10,000 underprivileged girls across India by 2030

AXA has announced its commitment to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for nearly 10,000 girls from underprivileged backgrounds across India by 2030, as part of its ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative.

As part of this initiative, AXA Global Business Services will collaborate with ecosystem partners and NGOs to identify and train girl students interested in pursuing STEM education through scholarship grants, the establishment of computer labs, and the distribution of desktop computers, among other efforts.

The company has partnered with Pune-based Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) to support the STEM education of 40 girls across Bengaluru and Pune, commemorating 40 years of AXA Group. Over the past few years, AXA Global Business Services has empowered more than 2,500 girls through various industry collaborations and plans to further accelerate its efforts in this direction.

The ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative was launched by Alexander Vollert, Group Chief Operating Officer and CEO of AXA Group Operations, Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, and Michele Rochefort, CEO of AXA Global Business Services, at an event held at AXA GBS’ Bengaluru office.

At AXA Global Business Services, inclusion forms the foundation of its day-to-day actions, supporting individuals facing social and economic challenges to achieve their potential and ensuring that protection is a right, not a privilege. Through education, digital empowerment, and community initiatives, the company aims to create opportunities for those who need them most.

“As a global leader in insurance, the AXA Group, along with entities such as AXA Global Business Services, is dedicated to empowering communities. Our social responsibility initiatives serve as a platform for philanthropic innovation. Supporting the STEM education of over 10,000 girls from underprivileged backgrounds in India over the next five years reflects our ambition to drive societal transformation and build a more inclusive world,” said Alexander Vollert, Group Chief Operating Officer and CEO of AXA Group Operations. “This is at the core of AXA’s purpose — to protect what matters.”

Michele Rochefort, CEO of AXA Global Business Services, said, “We believe in the power of togetherness to bring meaningful change in our communities. The ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative reaffirms our conviction to transform the lives of young girls through digital inclusion and education. For years, our employees have volunteered their time and expertise to empower communities. As a skills-first organisation, this initiative extends our own learning and development focus — helping both employees and beneficiaries upskill and reskill for the future.”

Ketan Deshpande, CEO of FUEL, added, “Our mission is to empower young individuals, particularly girls from smaller towns, with the skills and confidence they need to become employable. We are delighted to partner with AXA on the ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative and are confident that it will bring transformational change to the lives of these students.”