Gender Disparities in STEM Education: A Longitudinal Study of Enrollment Trends in South Asian Universities

This longitudinal study analyzed enrollment trends in STEM disciplines across 45 universities in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka over a 15-year period (2010-2025). Data from institutional records covering 2.3 million student enrollments revealed persistent gender disparities, with female representation averaging 34% across STEM fields. However, significant progress was observed in biological sciences (48%) and mathematics (42%), while engineering (22%) and computer science (28%) remained underrepresented. Policy interventions including scholarship programs, mentorship initiatives, and awareness campaigns were associated with increased female enrollment in targeted institutions. The study provides actionable recommendations for university administrators and policymakers to address systemic barriers to gender parity in STEM education.