Nepal has witnessed a significant shift in its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in recent years. Despite historical gender disparities in technology-related fields, Nepali women are now making remarkable strides in ICT, contributing to the nation's digital transformation and economic growth.

The landscape of women's participation in ICT in Nepal is evolving rapidly. From software development to cybersecurity, and from digital entrepreneurship to IT education, women are breaking barriers and establishing themselves as key players in the industry. This progress is reflected in the growing number of female students pursuing ICT-related degrees, the rise of women-led tech startups, and the increasing representation of women in leadership positions in tech companies.

There, however, are several challenges impeding women’s participation in the ICT sector. Gender stereotypes, limited access to resources, and societal expectations continue to hinder full gender parity in the sector. Despite these obstacles, initiatives by the government, educational institutions, and private sector are working to bridge the gender gap in ICT.

Digital Gender Divide

A UN estimate shows that in 2022, 63% of women used the internet compared to 69% of men. With the growing influence of technology in daily life, disparity in digital access is leading to lost opportunities for women in education and employment which ultimately hinders their empowerment. The UN Women’s Gender Snapshot Report 2022 estimates that this exclusion has resulted in an economic loss of Rs 13 billion which is projected to increase to Rs 15 billion by 2025 if no action is taken. The situation is alarming in Nepal. According to Digital 2024: Nepal, a report by DataReportal, 87.7% of Nepal’s total internet users (regardless of age) were active on at least one social media platform as of January 2024, with women making up 43.6% of that user base.

The gender disparity in digital engagement is compounded by several barriers, including limited digital literacy, socio-economic challenges, and cultural norms that often prioritise boys over girls in education, especially in STEM fields, according to leading Nepali women in tech. Additionally, women face higher rates of online harassment which discourages them from fully utilizing digital platforms. According to a study, women in South Asia are 36% less likely than men to use mobile internet, with 38% of women reporting online harassment.

Efforts to Bridge Divide

While efforts have been made to reduce the digital divide in Nepal, women entrepreneurs and leaders in tech argue that these efforts are not sufficient. The Digital Nepal Acceleration Project, which is supported by the World Bank, is working to improve digital literacy among women and vulnerable groups, focusing on online safety and cybersecurity. The project seeks to equip women with advanced skills to enhance their employment prospects in Nepal’s expanding IT sector so that they become active participants in the digital economy rather than passive consumers. By improving access to technology and digital skills, these initiatives aim to empower women, expand their economic opportunities and promote gender equality in Nepal’s digital economy .

Over the past decade, Nepal’s tech industry has seen a significant increase in female participation. Women are reshaping the technology landscape, breaking barriers, and driving innovation through entrepreneurship and leadership roles. The number of women studying computing has grown substantially, from 1,117 in 2011 to 11,078 in 2021, according to the census data.

Despite the historical underrepresentation of women in STEM subjects, the rise of women-led tech startups and successful female entrepreneurs is inspiring more women to pursue careers in technology. While Nepali Women in Computing (NWiC) aims at providing women with equal opportunities, inspiration and courage to thrive in tech, Women Leaders in Technology (WLiT) offers a nine-month fellowship for women studying IT in university, equipping them with technical and leadership skills to prepare them for careers in tech.

According to the Nepal Labor Force Survey 2017/18, only 0.5% of economically active women were employed in the ICT sector, compared to 1.1% men. Traditional gender roles often dictate that women prioritise domestic responsibilities over professional aspirations. From an early age, girls are frequently exposed to gendered toys and activities that steer them away from technology, reinforcing the stereotype that only men qualify for being educated in STEM fields.

Call for Enabling Environment

Nepali women in the ICT sector believe that it is crucial to create an enabling environment that encourages and supports women's participation in the tech industry. It can be achieved by promoting STEM education for girls, providing them with mentorship and networking opportunities, implementing workplace safety policies and raising awareness about the importance of gender diversity in the tech sector, they say.

Historically, the tech sector has been male-dominated, resulting in a scarcity of women in leadership positions. Globally, women hold only 28% of jobs in computer and mathematical occupations and just 15.9% in engineering and architecture, according to a report by the World Bank.

“While more girls have started choosing a career in the tech sector, they often hesitate to take the leadership and entrepreneurial roles when they enter the job market,” Saakha said. “Many still lack confidence despite having the talent.”

Women hold less than 20% percent of leadership roles in the technology sector in Nepal, making it challenging for aspiring female professionals to visualize their career paths and diminishing their ambitions for leadership roles. Here we profile some Nepali women who have established themselves firmly in the Nepali ICT sector.

(The news report was originally publihsed in the  October, 2024 issue     of the New Business Age Magazine.)