I had the privilege of working in Mauritania as a digital transformation consultant and advisor for two and a half years. During this time, I organized training sessions in collaboration with the Mauritanian Association for the Fight Against Poverty (ADLCP), Mauritanie Perspectives, and the private sector, including National Cash, a local bank specializing in Islamic banking operations.
This experience gave me valuable insights into the challenges faced by Mauritanian women, particularly the lack of digital skills within institutions and the high levels of poverty affecting their access to education and economic opportunities.
In this article, I aim to highlight the conditions of women in Mauritania, the barriers they face in STEM fields, and potential solutions to enhance their participation in the technology sector.
1. Limited Access to Education and STEM Skills
1.1 Insufficient School Enrollment for Girls
The Ministry of National Education, Technical Training, and Reform of Mauritania has committed to several international initiatives to improve girls’ education, including a Decade Plan that integrates all levels of the education sector. However, significant gaps remain, particularly in access to education for girls, especially in rural areas.
Referring to UNICEF Report Rapid Gender Analysis – Mauritania :” Education, gender disparities are particularly visible in the rate of children out of school in the three regions targeted by the program. At the primary and lower secondary levels, the rate of children out of school is higher among boys (51.2%) than among girls (40.8%),11 and from the upper secondary level, the rate of girls out of school is 80.7% compared to 73.6% among boys.12 Among the main factors behind the high school dropout rate among girls from the secondary level are the phenomena of child marriage and early marriage, which significantly reduce girls’ educational prospects. Indeed, due to the social norms in force and parental pressure, it is common for girls to feel obliged to marry and leave school “
Main Barriers to Girls’ Education
- Limited availability of schools (lack of infrastructure, incomplete schools, or long distances to reach them)
- High cost of education (hidden costs such as transport, meals, and supplies)
- Poor quality of rural public schools
- Late school entry and dropout rates due to social traditions
- Early marriage and domestic responsibilities
- Deep-rooted cultural norms that hinder girls’ education
1.2 Underrepresentation of Women in STEM Fields
Women remain severely underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Mauritania. Several factors contribute to this gender gap:
- Lack of career guidance steering girls toward scientific fields
- Absence of female role models in STEM disciplines
- Social biases regarding traditional gender roles
- Limited access to STEM training and resources
2. Solutions to Promote Women’s Inclusion in STEM
2.1 Enhancing Girls’ Access to Education
- Increase school infrastructure, particularly in rural areas
- Reduce indirect education costs by providing scholarships, transportation, and school meal programs
- Raise awareness among families about the importance of girls’ education
- Combat early marriages and advocate for gender equality in education
2.2 Encouraging Women to Pursue STEM Careers
- Introduce science and technology subjects into the curriculum at an early age
- Establish mentorship programs connecting young girls with female scientists and engineers
- Create STEM clubs and competitions specifically designed for girls
- Promote awareness of diverse career opportunities in science and technology
2.3 Strengthening Digital Training and Access
- Develop digital literacy programs tailored for women
- Encourage female entrepreneurship in the tech sector
- Expand access to online training programs, especially for rural women
Conclusion
Empowering women in STEM is crucial for Mauritania’s economic and technological development. By improving access to education, breaking gender stereotypes, and providing digital training opportunities, the country can create a more inclusive ecosystem where women can thrive, innovate, and achieve economic independence.
This transformation requires collaborative efforts from policymakers, educators, businesses, and civil society to ensure that STEM is no longer an exclusive domain but a field where Mauritanian women can fully participate and lead.
