This brief summarises evidence from six research projects funded by the Gender, Growth and Labour Markets in Low-Income Countries (G²LM|LIC) programme. Conducted in India, Ethiopia and Nigeria, these projects examine how information frictions, digital exclusion, mental health challenges and social norms shape women’s labour market outcomes, while also highlighting the role of data innovation in improving our understanding of labour markets. Together, the studies show that persistent gender gaps in employment cannot be explained by a single constraint. Rather, women face a range of interconnected barriers that influence their ability to find jobs, access opportunities and succeed once employed. At the same time, the evidence points to promising opportunities for policy innovation. By addressing overlooked constraints—including access to information, digital skills, psychological wellbeing and discriminatory hiring practices—policymakers can develop new and creative approaches to expanding women’s access to productive employment and narrowing gender gaps in labour markets.
Beyond Skills and Jobs: Understanding Barriers to Women’s Job Search and Employment
- Andrea Smurra