Traditionally, women in Mongolia occupy an important place in the workforce and pursue education; however, trends driven by stereotypes and lack of self-confidence, as well as insufficient investment in the service sector, are not conducive to women’s equal participation in creating digital businesses.
Although the share of women working in STEM sectors out of all STEM workers in Mongolia remains one of the highest in the world, the proportion of women completing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) studies has decreased from 49.5% (2000) to 34.1% (2018) of all graduates (source: World Bank, Databank-Gender statistics). Few choose Information and Communication Technology (ICT) studies—only 1.4% of female university applicants, who constitute 55% of all applicants, whereas the share of men choosing these fields is significantly higher, at 5.4%. There are no entry barriers for girls (admission to IT studies requires only a higher mathematics exam score), but many unfavorable stereotypes and environmental factors exist that limit career choices in this field after graduation.
Case studies also show that a significant proportion of women and girls working in the technology sector are employed in non-technical roles such as administration, customer service, and similar positions. For example, in a 250-employee company (one of the largest IT companies), 33% of employees are women, but only 10% of women work in technical positions, whereas 57% of men do. Thus, women clearly face barriers in acquiring technology knowledge and education, especially in IT, and in starting businesses or pursuing careers in this field.
The project Enhancing Digital Skills of Women and Girls, Acquiring Universal Competencies in the Increasingly Digitalized Business Sector in Mongolia aims to strengthen the participation of women and girls in technology businesses in Mongolia. Activities are directed at two target groups and areas with tailored programs and content, seeking to: 1) introduce senior secondary school girls to STEM, especially IT career opportunities, and encourage the choice of these studies, which would help lay the foundation for broader participation in this rapidly growing global sector, and 2) provide girls and women who have chosen higher education with knowledge and practical skills to realize their ideas through technological entrepreneurship, strengthening their capacity to become creators of independent digital businesses and establish connections with innovative digital technology businesses in European Union countries, primarily startups and their development ecosystems.