Gender Segregation in the Labor Process: A Study on Female Food Delivery Riders

Abstract

Since 2015, with the rapid development of the platform economy, food delivery services have become an indispensable part of daily life, creating a significant demand for employment opportunities. However, female food delivery riders account for only 10% of all riders, placing them at the margins. This paper aims to address this gender segregation phenomenon by analyzing the gender adaptation strategies of female riders in the male-dominated food delivery industry based on gender performativity theory. Through methods such as face-to-face in-depth interviews, online communication, and observation of typical labor processes, we collected and analyzed specific labor experiences of female food delivery riders. Our findings reveal that female riders employ strategies such as degendered dress codes, continuous challenges to physical limitations, and minimizing menstrual periods to adapt to the male-dominated labor environment, thereby securing employment opportunities. Additionally, they must balance the contradiction between family responsibilities and work demands, continuously seeking a balance between professional freedom and maternal duties. Although laws and policies have gradually strengthened protections for female riders' rights, such as labor security, flexible employment support, and platform rule optimization, further innovation and implementation are still needed in practice. The labor experiences of female riders reflect the deep structure of gender inequality in the platform economy. Future efforts should aim to improve relevant policies further and enhance societal support for female workers to promote gender equality and fair development in the labor market.