In STEM education, girls should receive the same opportunities. To help achieve that goal, AbbVie’s aesthetics department—Allergan Aesthetics—has teamed up with women advocacy group Girls Inc.
Via a social media-based campaign, the partnership aims to educate and support girls in high school in the possibility of a future career in science, technology, engineering and math.
“We have been partners with Girls Inc. for several years with a focus on empowering the next generation of future leaders. We want to change the STEM paradigm and make it more welcoming for girls,” Nicole Katz, vice president of customer engagement and corporate affairs at Allergan Aesthetics, told Fierce Pharma Marketing.
“We know if they can see it, they can be it. That is why we develop programs with role models that are accessible to help girls explore what their future could look like. We are fortunate to have great customers who partner with us to provide these experiences.”
In the campaign, the brand’s social media feeds will represent diverse female voices of successful role models speaking on a virtual panel titled: Breaking Barriers in STEM. The two-week campaign—running November 1 through 15—will feature a call-to-action for followers on LinkedIn and Instagram to raise awareness of the lack of female representation in STEM. Every time someone shares, likes or comments on one of Allergan Aesthetics’ postings about females in STEM, the drug company will donate $1 to Girls Inc., a nonprofit organization, with a total contribution up to $250,000.
Girls from Girls Inc. affiliates in Houston, St. Louis and Chicago will also participate in a Breaking Barriers in STEM virtual panel with leading, female healthcare providers.
“These girls will have the opportunity to learn from and engage with five female physicians about their career path and experience working in STEM,” Katz said. A recording of this panel discussion will be available to all 76 Girls Inc. chapters nationwide through the end of 2022, she added.
Allergen Aesthetics offered up some of the current statistics of women in STEM fields, including the fact that only 3% of STEM degrees are earned by Black women and less than 25% of STEM employees are women. In addition, of the women working in a career in STEM, 52% quit at some point and 41% of female employees leave high-tech companies.
“Scientific advancement is the lifeblood of Allergan Aesthetics. Early exposure to STEM is crucial to spark interest and develop the next generation of female STEM leaders,” Carrie Strom, president of Global Allergan Aesthetics and senior vice president of AbbVie, said in a press release. “By providing access to strong female mentors and raising awareness of the lack of female representation in STEM, we believe we can inspire girls nationwide to feel empowered to explore their options and excel.”
Earlier this year, Allergan pulled advertising from Jeanine Pirro’s programming on FOX when the host made controversial comments about a Muslim Congresswoman. Alhough Pirro apologized, and Allegan confirmed to Fierce Pharma that they would not advertise on the Jeanine Pirro program moving forward. It last ran ads for Botox Cosmetic on the show on March 9.