Exploring Computer Science Gender Parity through Research in Afghanistan

1. Exploring Computer Science Gender Parity through Research in Afghanistan Jandelyn Plane – University of Maryland College Park • Data Collection • Focus Groups – March 2006 • Written Surveys - November 2006 • Individual Interviews – June 2007 Afghanistan Higher Education Statistics 2007 KUCS Statistics Number and Percentage of students in Afghan Higher Education (Miwa, 2005) Class Male Female Total 1 10,711 2,295 13,006 2 6,174 1,983 8,157 3 3,187 668 3,855 4 2,631 642 3,273 5 2,011 171 2,182 6 183 41 224 Total 24,287 5,800 30,697 275 Total registered in Computer Science 100 Female students registered = 36.4% 4th Year Students: 122 total with 43 female = 35.2% 3rd Year Students: 73 total with 27 female = 37.0% 2nd Year Students: 80 total with 30 female = 37.5% Lecturers by gender and degree in Afghan Higher Education Degree Male Female Total Bachelor 840 158 998 Master 650 61 711 PhD 130 2 132 Total 1,620 221 1,841 Written Surveys Results 192 Kabul University CS Students Conclusions Interview Result Patterns 22 Kabul University CS Seniors • The Kabul University population is approximately 25% women but the Computer Science Department maintains over 35% women in each cohort. • In Afghanistan fewer children have access to computers, there are fewer role models, and the employment opportunities are different from countries discussed in most underrepresentation literature. • A high percentage of the women in KUCS did not select the faculty of science as their first choice on the entrance exam. • A significant number of the women in KUCS do not see working in most computer science fields as a viable option. • The men in KUCS are more often interested in studying the computer for its own sake while women want to improve society – e.g. by teaching. • Computer Access in home: • many did not have home computers until starting at the university • if they did have access, men gave computer more hardware specifics • Group work dynamic – little competition in classes: • gender segregated groups are the norm • work load equity questioned by several – especially men • Training in Computing before starting at University: • training mainly in computer usage available • occasionally available in secondary schools – mostly for men • training available at “technology centers” – wide variety of content • lack of women teachers in these “technology centers” • several women indicated learning computer applications at home • Employment Plans: • many jobs available in Afghanistan – wide variety for CS graduates • some feel that certain jobs are not appropriate for women • restrictions: on site work, with foreign men (NGO’s), late/long hours • less ability to predict where they will find employment • to help Afghan society by improving economics or teaching is priority “Favorite thing to do in computer – I want to be a good programmer because I, I love programming … [in] Java. I want to program software like Word but I don’t know that. I’m working on that and I want to work on my last project”(M-040600). “But every family should like the girls to enjoy the faculty and central education. But I think that most of the Afghan families don’t want their girls go outside their home. Almost 70%. Yes, 70%. When I go back to my province after 3 years, I met the several [schoolmates from secondary school] but all they are married. Their family don’t let them go to join the faculty” (F-020530) Sample Interview Quotes “I would teach computers. If I couldn’t find a job at some organization, some office that is acceptable [to my family], then I have to teach. I love the idea of [office] working. I think working at office is better than teaching because teaching is a little good. When you have working at office we can work, I mean, study a little for our self and when you are just teaching … that’s boring” (F-030500). “I would prefer to work in offices … in the field of database or web designing. I cannot work at an NGO, but I would prefer to work in a ministry or university, because of my old brother. He is a little strict and he doesn’t like me to work in an NGO”(F-060530). “I’m not changed how I see information about computer science – I always wanted to do computer science. The computer size and speed – interested in computer for [many] things”(M-050611). “First I thought that we will study about the Office programs or something like using computers in offices like this, but when I started, I found that we can program computer and we can have software like that” (F-020600). Interview Respondent Key M/F - gender # = date and time of interview