Women’s Work in Fragile States: Evidence from a Firm-Level Dataset in Somaliland

AbstractWhat explains variation in women’s employment in fragile states with conflict-affected histories and limited state capacity? Employment builds stability and including women in labor markets can yield peace dividends. We use data from a firm-level survey in Somaliland, a de facto state in northern Somalia, to investigate why some firms employ more women than others. We analyze firm characteristics affected by state fragility and conflict, including female firm ownership, diaspora ownership and management, and limited access to services. This research contributes to our understanding of economic growth in fragile contexts and identifies opportunities to address gender inequalities in the developing world.