Gender Dynamics and Disparities in Cambodia's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Sector

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in Cambodia are evolving rapidly as the country seeks to modernize its education system and prepare its youth for 21st century human capital development demands. 

However, female enrollment in STEM majors is generally lower than that of men, except in health sciences. While enrollment in postsecondary education has increased markedly for women, the increase in overall female postsecondary enrollment has not translated into proportional gains in STEM enrollment. 

Participation of women in STEM fields remains notably low compared to that of their male counterparts. Women are especially underrepresented in engineering and ICT, which are disciplines essential to Cambodia’s growing digital and green economies. For instance, based on the General Population Census of Cambodia 2019, in the youngest cohort (18–25 years), female participation in engineering and ICT is around 5%, while male participation stands at 22%. This imbalance persists across all major STEM fields, except for health sciences, where female participation is comparatively higher.

Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data, this report identifies key factors influencing women’s participation in STEM fields, the specific barriers they face, and the challenges that arise during the transition from education to the workforce. Relevant for key stakeholders in Cambodia, it also provides recommendations to advance gender equality in STEM education and careers.

Contents

• Introduction
• Methodology
• Key Findings
• Conclusion and Recommendations
• Appendix