At ErdemNET, women make up 50% of our total workforce — the highest level of gender parity among the reporting NRENs in the region, against a community average of roughly 29%. We are proud that this balance holds across both technical functions (network engineering, NOC/operations, systems administration) and non-technical functions (management, finance, project coordination, and user support
For us, this balance is not the product of a recent initiative but a reflection of long-standing cultural norms. In Mongolia's traditional nomadic society, women have historically shared responsibility for managing the household economy and community affairs, and have held positions of genuine authority and administration throughout the country's history. Gender equality is therefore deeply rooted in Mongolian culture, and it is natural that this heritage is reflected in our workforce today.
What has worked for us:
• Skills- and merit-based recruitment. We hire and promote strictly on capability, and we make a deliberate effort to keep shortlists balanced so qualified women are considered for every technical opening
• Investing in technical training. Women engineers are given equal access to certifications, hands-on labs, and regional capacity-building opportunities so they can grow into senior technical roles
• A supportive, flexible workplace. Family-friendly and flexible working arrangements help us retain experienced staff through different life stages, which has been key to retention
• Visible role models and mentoring. Women in senior and technical positions mentor newer staff, which strengthens both recruitment appeal and retention.
What others could adapt: Our experience suggests parity is achievable for a small NREN without a large formal programme — by treating balance as a hiring and promotion discipline, guaranteeing women equal access to technical development, and offering a flexible workplace. We would welcome a regional peer-exchange or mentoring network for women network engineers and are happy to share our practices with the community
