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Women’s Mobility and Labor Supply: Experimental Evidence from Pakistan

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  • Garlick, Robert

    (Duke University)

  • Field, Erica

    (Duke University)

  • Vyborny, Kate

    (World Bank)

Abstract

We study whether commuting barriers constrain women’s labor supply in urban Pakistan. We randomize offers of gender-segregated or mixed-gender commuting services at varying prices. Women-only transport more than doubles job application rates, while mixed-gender transport has minimal effects on men’s and women’s application rates. Women value the women-only service more than large price discounts for the mixed-gender service. Results are similar for baseline labor force participants and non-participants, suggesting there are many “latent jobseekers” close to the margin of participation. These findings highlight the importance of safety and propriety concerns in women’s labor decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Garlick, Robert & Field, Erica & Vyborny, Kate, 2025. "Women’s Mobility and Labor Supply: Experimental Evidence from Pakistan," IZA Discussion Papers 17883, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17883
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    Cited by:

    1. Hina Amber & Bezawit Beyene Chichaibelu, 2023. "Narrowing the gender digital divide in Pakistan: Mobile phone ownership and female labor force participation," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 1354-1382, August.
    2. Aparajita Dasgupta & Ashokankur Datta, 2023. "Gendered Transport Subsidy and its Short Run Effect on Female Employment: Evidence from Delhi’s Pink Pass Scheme," Working Papers 105, Ashoka University, Department of Economics.
    3. Coxhead,Ian & Jayasuriya,Sisira & Kurosaki,Takashi, 2023. "Is female labor immobility holding back industrialization in Pakistan?," IDE Discussion Papers 896, Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization(JETRO).
    4. Balasubramanian, Pooja & Ibanez, Marcela & Khan, Sarah & Sahoo, Soham, 2024. "Does women's economic empowerment promote human development in low- and middle-income countries? A meta-analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    5. Kondylis, Florence & Legovini, Arianna & Vyborny, Kate & Zwager, Astrid & Andrade, Luiza, 2025. "Demand for “Safe Space”: Avoiding harassment and complying with norms," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • L91 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Transportation: General

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