Advancing Gender Equality in the Science, Technology and Innovation in Mauritius

To commemorate International Women’s Day 2025, under the global theme “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” the UN Country Team in Mauritius partnered with the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, and the University of Mauritius to co-host a Round Table on “The Future of Gender Equality for Women in the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Sector in Mauritius.”

This Policy Brief emerges from the Round Table, outlining key challenges, opportunities, and actionable recommendations to advance women’s rights and participation in the digital and ICT sectors, including STEM fields. It emphasizes the urgency of promoting inclusive participation, addressing structural barriers, and ensuring equal opportunities for all women and girls in a digital age.

These discussions take place against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global digital economy, a transformative force now contributing over 15.5% of global GDP and projected to generate 70% of new economic value over the next decade through digitally enabled platforms business models.1 Digital technologies have already expanded access to education, information, and economic mobility. Yet, gender gaps persist: women make up only 29.2% of the STEM workforce across 146 countries, compared to nearly 50% in non-STEM roles (Global Gender Gap Report, 2023).

In this context, as Mauritius intensifies its digital transformation agenda through its 2025–2029 Government Programme, addressing the gender digital divide is not just a matter of equity - it is an economic necessity. Enabling women’s full participation in this high-growth sector is critical for ensuring a resilient, innovative, and inclusive digital future.