Mongolia

Mongolia, located in west-central Asia, is one of the world's most sparsely populated nations. Khalkha Mongols are the majority ethnic group; the country's main religions are Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Women enjoy equal rights under the law. Key women's issues include high rates of domestic violence, poverty, and child labor. Mongolia ranked 22nd of 134 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2009 Global Gender Gap Report.

The average age of marriage is in the mid-20s. The traditional practices of arranged marriage and bridal dowries have decreased. Family sizes have also decreased. The 2009 fertility rate was 1.9 births per woman. Skilled healthcare practitioners attend 99 percent of births. The 2009 infant mortality rate was 35 per 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality rate was 46 per 100,000 live births. The state social insurance fund provides women with 120 days of paid maternity leave at 70 percent of their wages. Of married women, 66 percent use contraceptives. Antidomestic violence legislation was passed in 2005.

Most families live in patrilineal, rural nomadic camps and raise livestock. All family members contribute to household enterprise, but women perform most housework and childcare. Female school attendance rates stand at 89 percent at the primary level, 85 percent at the secondary level, and 58 percent at the tertiary level. Many rural children leave school so they can work. Literacy rate by gender is almost equal, at 98 percent for women and 97 percent for men.

Problems include rapidly rising poverty rates and wealth differentials, street children, rising urban crime rates, and lack of post-Soviet funding for social welfare programs. Most have access to basic healthcare, but Western-style medicine is restricted to urban areas. Alternative medicine is also popular. Life expectancy is improving, at age 58 for women and age 53 for men.

Some 60 percent of women participate in the labor force. Women comprise 53 percent of the paid non-agricultural workforce and 54 percent of professional and technical workers. They are legally forbidden from hazardous work. Key employers include agriculture, livestock, manufacturing, industry, and service. Women are the majority of teachers at all education levels.

[Page 974]A gender gap still exists in average estimated earned income, which stands at $2,172 for women and $3,603 for men. Unemployment rates are just over 14 percent. Women have the right to vote. Women hold 4 percent of parliamentary seats and 20 percent of ministerial positions. There have been no female heads of state. Women's groups include nongovernmental organizations, as well as the Women's Information and Research Center and the Committee of Mongolian Women.