Women at Work

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Women's labor force participation in developing countries, particularly in urban Djibouti, remains low due to restrictive gender norms, but targeted employment opportunities can significantly increase participation [4][10][21] - The public works program in Djibouti demonstrated high take-up rates among women, with 92% of households accepting the opportunity, and over 75% of participants choosing to work themselves rather than delegating the opportunity [14][15] - Despite the short-term success of the program in increasing employment by 55 percentage points, women reverted to non-participation in the labor market after the program ended, indicating the need for sustained employment opportunities [17][21] Summary by Sections Introduction - Women's labor market participation is flat or declining in some regions, presenting a policy challenge, with economic growth not being the sole factor influencing participation [8][9] Context and Intervention - Djibouti faces significant economic challenges, with high poverty and food insecurity rates, and a public works program was initiated to provide short-term income support while promoting human capital formation [23][25][30] Experimental Design - The study utilized a randomized control trial design to evaluate the impact of the public works program on women's employment and decision-making power [34][36] Main Findings - The program led to a substantial increase in women's employment during its duration, but this effect did not persist post-intervention, highlighting the importance of ongoing support for women's labor force attachment [17][21] - Women maintained control over their earnings, with only a small portion giving their income to their husbands, indicating a shift in intra-household dynamics [16][17] - The program's design, which included local work opportunities and consideration of women's domestic responsibilities, was crucial for its acceptance and success [13][31] Heterogeneity of Effects - The analysis revealed that women with higher mobility constraints were less likely to take up the employment offer, suggesting that social norms play a significant role in labor supply responses [19][21] Conclusion - The findings suggest that while targeted employment opportunities can draw women into the labor market, the absence of sustained employment options limits long-term participation, emphasizing the need for policies that address women's specific needs in the labor market [21][30]