The pandemic, and 2020 in general, has been a time of struggle for most everyone. But somehow, even through the worst health disasters of this century and an unusual election, the results have still managed to impact women disproportionately with 2.5 million who have left the workforce since the start of the pandemic.
-- Holly Young, 7th Grade
The pandemic, and 2020 in general, has been a time of struggle for most everyone. But somehow, even through the worst health disasters of this century and an unusual election, the results have still managed to impact women disproportionately with 2.5 million who have left the workforce since the start of the pandemic.
Since September, 865,000 women have left the workforce. This accounts for more than 50% of the 5,318,000 jobs lost since February 2020, according to the BLS. Not only do these women have no source of income now, but they are paid significantly less than men, meaning that they have less savings.
Since September, 865,000 women have left the workforce. This accounts for more than 50% of the 5,318,000 jobs lost since February 2020, according to the BLS. Not only do these women have no source of income now, but they are paid significantly less than men, meaning that they have less savings.
“Not only do women make about 82 percent of what men make, but they also have less savings,” said Emily Martin, vice president for education and workplace justice at the NWLC in an interview with the Washington Post. “And time away from work tends to depress women’s wages, potentially exacerbating the country’s persistent gender pay gap.”
Many businesses have been forced to lay off workers because of the devastating economic impact of the pandemic, or even shut down. Those who have not been already are still in danger of being laid off, as well as “toxic mask-ulinity,” surviving on tips, and catching COVID 19.
This "shecession" has affected many areas with high female unemployment. Leisure and hospitality departments lost 597,000 and restaurants and bars lost 19,000 jobs over the past few months. Retail departments have lost 383,000 jobs since February. Not to mention healthcare jobs have lost 542,000 jobs since before February.
Many businesses have been forced to lay off workers because of the devastating economic impact of the pandemic, or even shut down. Those who have not been already are still in danger of being laid off, as well as “toxic mask-ulinity,” surviving on tips, and catching COVID 19.
This "shecession" has affected many areas with high female unemployment. Leisure and hospitality departments lost 597,000 and restaurants and bars lost 19,000 jobs over the past few months. Retail departments have lost 383,000 jobs since February. Not to mention healthcare jobs have lost 542,000 jobs since before February.
Although unemployment during this time is bad for all women, it has affected Women of Color even more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for black women 20 and up, is ¼ higher than the national average of Americans. For Latinx women, the unemployment rate is a little under 50% higher
This problem isn’t going entirely unnoticed, however. Vice President Kamala Harris held a conference with many women’s rights groups and lawmakers to discuss the issue of female unemployment, what she calls, a “national emergency.”
This problem isn’t going entirely unnoticed, however. Vice President Kamala Harris held a conference with many women’s rights groups and lawmakers to discuss the issue of female unemployment, what she calls, a “national emergency.”
“In one year,” Harris said, “the pandemic has put decades of the progress we have collectively made for women workers at risk.” In the beginning of 2020, the number of women in the workforce overtook men for a period of 3 months. More women than men were attending medical school and law school, but the pandemic changed this.
The Biden Administration has created a 1.9 trillion stimulus package that could potentially help all women, whether working or unemployed, with a 40 billion investment in childcare, which could help many moms who have been forced to stay home, as well as $3,000 issued to families for each child, and an array of unemployment benefits.
This pandemic has laid bare a systemic inequality that has existed since the beginning of time. The uncomfortable truth is that women in the workforce have always been separated into sections that are first to get cut when something goes wrong. Everyone is hurting during this time, but it doesn’t make this problem any less important. Stay safe and wear a mask, for your safety and possibly their well being.
The Biden Administration has created a 1.9 trillion stimulus package that could potentially help all women, whether working or unemployed, with a 40 billion investment in childcare, which could help many moms who have been forced to stay home, as well as $3,000 issued to families for each child, and an array of unemployment benefits.
This pandemic has laid bare a systemic inequality that has existed since the beginning of time. The uncomfortable truth is that women in the workforce have always been separated into sections that are first to get cut when something goes wrong. Everyone is hurting during this time, but it doesn’t make this problem any less important. Stay safe and wear a mask, for your safety and possibly their well being.
