Women’s economic participation starts with mobility
Picture a woman in Karachi with a degree and a job offer. The workplace is several kilometres from her home, and getting there means walking to find transport, waiting for a bus or rickshaw and navigating a crowded commute. The journey may involve multiple connections, take considerable time and raise concerns about safety and convenience. She has to contend with these hassles twice a day, every…
Picture a woman in Karachi with a degree and a job offer. Getting to the workplace can be a challenge, involving walking, waiting for transportation, and navigating crowded commutes. She faces these obstacles twice a day, every working day. In Pakistan, only 22.7% of women participate in the labor force, in comparison to 68.7% of men.
In urban areas, that number drops to 12.8%. Factors contributing to this disparity include social expectations, limited employment opportunities, family responsibilities, and workplace conditions. However, mobility barriers also play a role and need more attention. Research shows that improving access to mobility can make a significant difference.
In a study by Duke University and the World Bank, offering transportation directly between a woman's home and workplace led to a 70% increase in job applications, while women-only transportation increased applications by about 150%. This effect also applied to women who were not actively seeking work. Mobility is not just about convenience; it can determine whether employment is a realistic option.
Ride-hailing companies have stepped in to address these mobility gaps by connecting passengers with drivers for specific destinations. This expanded people's options, giving women more flexibility to plan their commutes around work schedules and other commitments. Ride-hailing has become an important part of urban mobility, providing another way for commuters to access employment, education, and other opportunities.
However, safety is equally important, particularly for women who may consider personal safety when deciding on a job or independent travel. Ride-hailing companies have implemented various safety measures, such as reviewing driver profiles, ratings, and ride histories, sharing trip details with family, and providing safety tools through their apps.
In Pakistan, the use of ride-hailing services is still relatively low, at around 5% compared to approximately 20% globally. The industry has an opportunity to extend mobility access to more people. Policymakers can play a significant role in creating an environment that enables the industry to grow responsibly and improve access to mobility.
If more women are to participate in Pakistan's economy, we must consider what it takes to reach those opportunities. For many women, mobility is where the opportunity begins.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
