AXA to support STEM education of nearly 10,000 girls in India by 2030
9th October 2025: AXA announced today its commitment to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education of 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 work with ecosystem partners and NGOs to identify and train girl students interested in pursuing STEM education through scolarship grants, the establishment of computer labs, and the distribution of desktop computers among others. The company announced today its partnership with Pune-based Friends Union for Energising Lives (FUEL) to support the STEM education of 40 girls across Bengaluru and Pune, celebrating the 40 years of AXA Group. In the last few years, AXA Global Business Services has empowered over 2,500 girls through various industry partnerships and aims to accelerate its efforts towards 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 in an event at AXA GBS’ Bengaluru office.
At AXA Global Business Services, inclusion guides day-to-day actions, by supporting individuals facing social and economic challenges to reach their full potential, ensuring that protection is not a privilege, but a right for all. Through education, digital empowerment and community support, the company enables accelerated growth and opportunities for those who need it the most.
« As a global leader in insurance, the AXA Group along with our various entities such as AXA Global Business Services is dedicated to empowering communities and our social responsibilities are designed as a laboratory for philanthropic innovation. Our ambition to support the STEM education of over 10,000 girls from underprivileged backgrounds in India over the next 5 years is aimed at contributing to a broader societal transformation and creating a more inclusive world by promoting girl child education and enhancing their employability. This is at the core of AXA’s purpose: protect what matters,” said Alexander Vollert, Group Chief Operating Officer and CEO of AXA Group Operations.
Michele Rochefort, CEO of AXA Global Business Services said, “We believe in the power of togetherness to bring about a change in the communities around us and are proud to reaffirm our conviction with the launch of the ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative to help transform the lives of thousands of young girls. We are excited about this journey where we can drive the digital inclusion of girl students and help support less privileged households. For many years, our employees have committed volunteering hours and their expert skills to empower communities. As a skills-first organization, this commitment is an extension of the learning and development programs for our own employees, where we invest heavily to enable them to upskill and reskill.”
“Our mission is to empower young individuals, particularly girls from smaller towns with the requisite skill sets, training, and opportunities that they need to build self-confidence and become employable. We are thrilled to partner with AXA in their ‘Dare to Thrive’ initiative and are confident of bringing transformational changes in the lives of these students,” said Ketan Deshpande, CEO of FUEL.