This presentation examines a study conducted in urban Djibouti, where women’s labor force participation remains low due to restrictive gender norms. The study focuses on a public works program designed to specifically facilitate women’s participation in the workforce. The findings reveal that, when offered a suitable work opportunity, women are highly willing to engage, with most choosing to take on the work themselves rather than delegating it to others. However, in the medium term, once the program concludes, many of these women return to non-participation in the labor market. This suggests that while restrictive social norms can act as a significant deterrent to women’s employment in settings with very low female workforce engagement, women are open to participating in work when the opportunity is presented. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions that both address social barriers and create sustainable, long-term employment opportunities for women.

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