Nepal’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) industry is growing, yet participation remains starkly unequal. Only 0.5% of economically active women in Nepal work in STEM, compared to 17% in the EU and 23% in the US. Women and girls face intersecting barriers of gender discrimination, caste and class inequities, geographic isolation, limited access to technology and quality education, and the pressures of poverty, which often lead to early school dropout and early marriage that perpetuates a cycle of exclusion.

Naveenta is an innovative STEM education program tackling Nepal’s gender gap in technology by equipping marginalized schoolgirls with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital future. The program equips girls with hands-on learning, relevant IT skills for both local and global contexts, mentoring from STEM professionals and access to cutting-edge resources on AI safety.

Tailored specifically for marginalized girls, Naveenta addresses the structural and social barriers they face. Embedded discussions, positive role models and community engagement inspire motivation, challenge stereotypes and shift norms at both student and community levels. This transformative work is delivered in partnership with Karkhana Samuha, a Nepali organization leading in innovative, inclusive education and digital transformation.

The program will empower 500 marginalized girls across 40 public schools (grades 6–12) in Madhesh Province to pursue further education and careers in STEM through:

Skills in STEM

Intensive digital skills courses in schools, including Creative Coding, Web App Development, and  Design & Visual Communication, with practical use of AI. In lower grades, selected schools will also offer hands-on science and engineering classes, supported by teacher training and curriculum development.

Support in STEM

Inspiring girls to see themselves in STEM by showcasing tangible career and education pathways.

Safety in STEM

Promoting the safe, responsible, and ethical use of AI and digital platforms through workshops in all schools supported by newly created dedicated online resources.

Naveenta goes beyond skills development by opening up pathways to higher education and careers while actively reducing the digital divide. The program challenges the structural and social barriers that have historically excluded girls from STEM and aims to demonstrate a scalable model for inclusive STEM education in Nepal, with the long-term goal of integrating the program into local government strategies and policies for women and girls in STEM, and girls' education.