“ Women are more encouraged to apply ”: The disconnect between the gender equality agenda and young women’s employment practices in urban Sierra Leone

In recent decades, increasing female labor market participation has emerged as a key political priority both nationally and internationally. However, existing studies reveal that its increase alone is insufficient to tackle deeply rooted gender-based inequalities, as a substantial share of working women globally remain concentrated in low-paid and precarious employment. This paper explores the labor market experiences of young women in urban Sierra Leone, highlighting the disconnect between national gender equality agenda and employment practices at the grassroots level and explores how deeply rooted gender norms and social practices constrain women’s opportunities and undermine their ability to secure livelihoods.