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Gender-Specific Transportation Costs and Female Time Use: Evidence from India’s Pink Slip Program

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Listed:
  • Yutong Chen
  • Kerem Coşar
  • Devaki Ghose
  • Shirish Mahendru
  • Sheetal Sekhri

Abstract

Reducing gender-specific commuting barriers in developing countries has complex and diverse effects on women’s labor dynamics. We study a program that offers free bus rides for women in several Indian states (the Pink Slip program) using a synthetic difference-in-differences approach to shed light on labor supply and time use decisions of women. We observe decreased bus expenses and time saved on travel. Skilled employed women increase labor supply, while low-skill married women shift focus to household chores. Unemployed women intensify job searches, yet overall employment rates remain unchanged. Our findings highlight that alleviating commuting costs does not uniformly boost women’s labor participation, as gender roles and societal norms continue to shape outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Yutong Chen & Kerem Coşar & Devaki Ghose & Shirish Mahendru & Sheetal Sekhri, 2024. "Gender-Specific Transportation Costs and Female Time Use: Evidence from India’s Pink Slip Program," NBER Working Papers 32508, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32508
    Note: DEV LS
    as

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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
    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise

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