Widening Gender Gaps in Daily Mobility? A Causal Analysis of Pandemic Impacts and Sociospatial Heterogeneity

Existing research has established that public health crises disproportionately affect women’s mobility, but less attention has been paid to how these gender gaps evolve dynamically over time and are shaped by sociospatial contexts. This study examines the changing nature of gendered mobility disparities through an analysis of high-resolution longitudinal mobility data from Shenzhen, China, captured over a five-month period spanning the precrisis, restriction, recovery, and stabilization phases of the first wave of COVID-19. Applying a difference-in-difference-in-differences (DDD) framework, the study evaluates causal effects across three distinct policy periods: strict restrictions, recovery, and the new normal. The results reveal a narrowing gender gap in daily mobility during the strict restriction phase, followed by a significant widening during subsequent phases relative to precrisis baselines. These effects were strongly moderated by social and built environment factors, demonstrating clear sociospatial heterogeneity. The findings highlight the role of multimodal public transport accessibility, mixed-use environments, and compact urban structure in shaping gendered mobility responses. This study underscores the importance of embedding gender-sensitive approaches into urban planning to build more equitable and resilient cities in the face of future crises.