Cambodia’s STEM education and careers face a significant gender gap, with women underrepresented despite rising overall enrollment in postsecondary education. The gender gap persists, particularly in engineering and information and communication technology (ICT), where women account for only 19% of students in the youngest cohort. Key drivers for STEM major choice include interest, job prospects, family influence, and academic performance, while barriers include social norms, lack of career information and guidance, limited mobility, and workplace constraints such as wage gaps and inflexible hours.
The study, using mixed methods including surveys of 600 STEM graduates and paired interviews with 28 students/graduates, found that social norms and family expectations restrict women’s STEM participation, especially in rural areas where mobility is limited. Women in STEM careers face challenges like lack of role models, limited career progression, and wage gaps, while those not employed in STEM often cite limited career information and family influence.
Sector analysis reveals men dominate mining, construction, and finance, while women are concentrated in education, health, and microenterprises, contributing to persistent gender gaps in earnings and advancement. Policy recommendations include embedding gender-responsive STEM learning in national education policy, strengthening career guidance at key transitions, promoting equitable student recruitment and retention policies, and strengthening care systems to support women’s STEM careers. Coordinated action across education, labor, and gender policies is essential to close the gender gap and enhance human capital development.
