NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.,
June 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/
-- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) is partnering with leading
non-profit organizations FHI 360 and JA (Junior Achievement)
Worldwide to advance the education of young women and girls in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design
(STEM2D). Through these partnerships, the company intends to reach
one million girls between the ages of 5 and 18 by 2020. This is
part of a broader effort Johnson & Johnson is making to
accelerate the development of women leaders and to support women at
all stages of their life to improve global health and well-being
and drive sustainable economic growth.
Within this age group, Johnson & Johnson aims to spark
enchantment with STEM2D disciplines through creative
problem-solving and play, leading to a higher success rate of young
women enrolling in and completing higher education, and ultimately
pursuing careers, in the STEM2D fields.
"We know that there are many barriers that exist for young girls
and women to gain exposure to and advancement in STEM2D-related
fields," said Kathy Wengel,
Worldwide Vice President, Johnson & Johnson Supply Chain. "I'm
confident that with the partnership of FHI 360 and Junior
Achievement Worldwide, we'll have the global reach and influence to
spark interest of girls in these fields to open up brand new
possibilities for them."
Programs for this initiative will be focused on tailored
activities that reach young women and girls through multiple
approaches across in-school and out-of-school curricular activities
and community-based events.
"We're committed to solutions that have positive, long-lasting
effects on this generation and for those to come. This
collaboration allows us to reach young women and girls in new and
unique ways," said Ivan Charner,
Director, FHI 360's National Institute for Work and Learning.
"Careful research and analytics show that building awareness and
increasing girls' knowledge and engagement will help influence
their decision to enter STEM2D careers."
"Women's economic equality is good for business, good for the
global economy, and good for society," said Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide. "JA is
already a place for girls to learn entrepreneurship, financial
literacy, and workplace readiness skills on equal footing with
boys. This partnership allows us to create even more opportunities
for girls to specifically build STEM2D skills and
confidence. Getting more girls into STEM2D careers will be an
increasingly important driver of economic growth in the
future."
At the college level, the company also intends to increase
enrollment and graduation rates of undergraduate women in STEM2D
fields. The company has declared partnerships with the non-profit
organization the National Center for Women and Information
Technology (NCWIT) and nine leading academic centers around the
world, including Caltech, Harvey Mudd
College, Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA -
Brazil), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rhode Island School of Design, Rutgers-New
Brunswick Honors College, Spelman
College, The University of Limerick, and The University of Tokyo. Through the partnership, these
institutions will augment their existing undergraduate STEM2D
programs by offering scholarships, intensives, mentoring and
research opportunities, allowing them to expand and retain an
increased number of women entering into their programs.
"Johnson & Johnson supports women inside and outside the
company in many ways, from talent recruitment and retention, to
women-focused innovation and philanthropy initiatives," said
Sandi Peterson, Group Worldwide
Chairman. "We're proud of the progress we're making toward building
a diverse workforce around the world and the contribution we are
making to healthier lives and healthy communities."
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SOURCE Johnson & Johnson