Only 15 percent of women are engaged in the formal economy in Jordan. This is due to many factors including cultural and societal norms, difficulties in finding transportation to job sites, safety concerns on public transit, and the cost and availability of child care. The collaborative sharing economy is making economic participation easier for these women who are now able to engage in economic activities from their own homes.
Gig economy platforms effectively use technology to make these jobs more accessible to women, while apps allow their location to be known to alleviate safety concerns. The time-specific nature of many jobs, such as an hour of babysitting or three hours of tutoring, also clarifies where and when work is taking place, so women’s families are more comfortable with their commitments. Lastly, specified rates for tasks and time help ensure women are being paid fair wages for their labor.
These online platforms allow women to build reputable brands and establish effective user interfaces. It helps legitimize their businesses and connect them to customers.
Women from all different occupations are using the sharing economy to their advantage in Jordan. Hairstyling, child care, home maintenance, and tutoring are just some of the industries where women are becoming more empowered with the help of modern technological tools.
In a country where women have a particularly difficult time finding fair wages and safe work, the gig economy is providing a path to labor equality and empowerment for women across Jordan.
