Gender stereotypes continue to influence career choices: despite girls’ achievements in exact sciences at school, preference is still given to humanitarian specialties. How does this happen? Let’s see data.
Girls in the Nationwide Testing: achievements and preferences in subject tests
In 2022, the Nationwide Testing in Kyrgyzstan revealed that the average score of girls in the main test is higher than that of boys. Additionally, girls are not inferior to boys in academic performance and interest in exact sciences and other STEM subjects.
* STEM – an acronym for science, technology, engineering, math.
Career choice – Humanities or Technical?
According to the data from the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, men in Kyrgyzstan show a stronger interest in technical sciences and engineering specialties. In 2022, around 38% of male applicants chose technical sciences, while only 23% of female applicants chose this field. Despite the low proportion of women in technical specialties, there is a trend towards its increase over time.
Identifying barriers and initiatives for equal opportunities
However, an anonymous survey was conducted from January to March of this year throughout Kyrgyzstan. About 400 respondents represented various age groups (16-60 years old), gender groups, and professional fields in STEM, from school students to PhD holders. One of the main conclusions of the survey is that gender discrimination exists both in educational institutions and in the workplace.
Career growth prospects and financial independence
Even though we still observe fewer women than men in STEM professions, why should the female gender pay attention to the exact sciences? Working in STEM fields is usually associated with higher salaries and greater career advancement opportunities. Encouraging girls to enter these fields helps them achieve financial independence and improve their social status.
In Kyrgyzstan, gender stereotypes continue to influence career choices, despite the success of girls in the exact sciences. Men often choose technical specialties, while women face gender discrimination. To change the situation, educational campaigns, workplace support, and the creation of flexible working conditions are necessary to attract more women to the STEM field. This is not only fair from a social perspective but also important for the economic development of society. Diversity in experiences, perspectives, and approaches to problem-solving fosters innovation and economic growth, while women can pursue their career ambitions, increase their income levels, and achieve personal and professional growth.
Sources:
National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic https://www.stat.kg/ru/
Center for Assessment in Education and Teaching Methods https://testing.kg/
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