AXA to Support STEM Education for 10,000 Indian Girls by 2030
When 16-year-old Meera from Pune first walked into her community’s new computer lab, she didn’t know that in just a few years, coding could become the language of her dreams. Like thousands of other girls across India, Meera represents a generation of young women whose lives are being transformed by a new educational revolution—one powered by AXA’s mission to empower 10,000 girls in STEM by 2030 through their Dare to Thrive initiative.
Unveiled at AXA Global Business Services’ Bengaluru campus, the Dare to Thrive program captures the company’s commitment to not just providing access to education but to redefining opportunities for underprivileged girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Partnering with the Pune-based NGO Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL), AXA has already begun with a pilot program supporting 40 girls in Bengaluru and Pune, equipping them with computers, internet access, and continuous mentorship. The goal: give more girls like Meera the confidence and tools to become future engineers, coders, and innovators.
This initiative isn’t just a corporate social responsibility project—it’s a movement built on inclusion and digital empowerment. Over the past few years, AXA Global Business Services has already reached over 2,500 girls through scholarships, computer labs, and STEM-focused training workshops. The new decade-long vision expands this reach exponentially, aiming to create long-term, self-sustaining educational ecosystems where girls from even the remotest parts of India can build tech-driven careers.
Alexander Vollert, Group COO and CEO of AXA Group Operations, described the goal as an effort to “create a more inclusive world by promoting girl child education and enhancing employability.” According to him, AXA’s ambition to reach 10,000 underprivileged girls by 2030 is not just about learning—it’s about opening doors to independence, confidence, and innovation for future generations.
Michele Rochefort, CEO of AXA Global Business Services, reinforced this vision with a message of unity and collective responsibility. “We believe in the power of togetherness to bring real change,” she said, highlighting how employees of AXA contribute volunteer hours and mentorship to guide the girls personally. For these employees, the initiative doubles as a personal growth program—one that embodies AXA’s core belief that education and inclusion go hand in hand.
AXA’s story is also one of legacy and celebration. Launched in conjunction with AXA’s 40th anniversary, the program aims to strengthen industrial partnerships with Indian NGOs and schools to make technology more accessible to marginalised communities. Beyond the labs and laptops lies a deeper purpose—ensuring that every girl has the chance to dream in gigabytes and build in circuits, regardless of her background.
Ketan Deshpande, CEO of FUEL, summarised the spirit of the initiative best: “We are thrilled to partner with AXA in their Dare to Thrive initiative. Together, we can bring transformational change to the lives of young girls who otherwise might never have seen a path to STEM education.”
The larger dream behind Dare to Thrive aligns with India’s Digital India vision—bridging the digital divide and enabling girls to become creators, not just consumers, of technology. As India positions itself as a global technology leader, the inclusion of women in this growth story is no longer optional; it’s essential. Initiatives like AXA’s ensure that economic empowerment and gender equality advance hand in hand.
By 2030, as thousands of AXA-supported students step into classrooms, code labs, and tech companies, their achievements will echo far beyond statistics. They will represent a generation that didn’t wait for change—they built it.
Through Dare to Thrive, AXA isn’t just investing in education. It’s igniting futures, one girl, one idea, and one innovation at a time.
