China’s labour market liberalization harmed women, but more so in regions with traditional gender norms

Key Points

• Labour market liberalization worsens employment opportunities for women, especially in traditional regions.
• Data from various provinces indicates that regions with strict gender norms experience heightened negative effects.
• Economic policy reforms focused on liberalization are underscored by contrasting impacts based on local cultural attitudes.
• Findings highlight the necessity for tailored policy approaches to mitigate gender disparities in labor markets.