Women's disproportionate job loss compared to men after covid

The coronavirus, as we all know, was a deadly disease that impacted everyone’s lives tremendously. Whether it was the loss of a job, being put in lockdown, or the impact of wearing masks, it was a tremendous shock to all and affected everyone’s lives to great measure. 

Overnight, we went from bustling offices and classrooms to home offices and Zoom calls. But while the chaos hit everyone, it seems women, especially young ones, bore the brunt of the job losses. Over 1.5 million women in the EU lost jobs in sectors like retail, hospitality, and domestic work– industries hit hardest by the pandemic. And it wasn’t just about job titles; it affected finances, mental well-being, and even future career opportunities. 

Previous data reveals the statistics that before the pandemic, there were more women in paid employment than at any time. The worst of the pandemic affected the age demographic of young women between the ages of 15-24 years old. The question that remains is why are women being affected more by the same impact yet having a much more severe outcome than men. This is another indicator showing the implicating effects of gender inequality. 

So, what’s behind the disparity? Here’s the thing: gender inequality wasn’t a new phenomenon; the pandemic just highlighted it like never before. Unlike their male counterparts, women were more likely to face furloughs, reduced hours, or complete job loss. For working moms, the challenge doubled. Many had to juggle work, childcare, and homeschooling– often leading them to reduce work hours far more than fathers did. Since the pandemic caused the job losses to be sudden women had to face grueling situations for their family financially and physically. 

The emotional loss of these jobs also raised the possibility of a riveting effect on future generations to come. These could include long-term implications, such as setbacks in gender equality and wage gaps. 

The question that remains, is how are they able to financially provide a sustainable living for their families? It would be physically impossible with no source of income coming in. This is one of the many reasons why jobs offer furlough to their employees. Furlough was a common issue happening to a lot of women around the world during the pandemic. By May 2020, mothers were more likely than their spouses to have lost their jobs since the pandemic started and were more likely to be furloughed. However, furloughs turned into job losses entirely. 

Since many women didn’t expect their furlough to be permanent they ended up having serious financial loss. My family friend who ran a small eyelash business is an example of a woman who was affected - COVID restrictions shuttered her shop. But, she didn’t give up. Instead, she took her skills on the road, visiting clients at home to keep her business alive. She’s a great example of resilience, but not everyone has that option. She was determined and figured out a way to stay afloat despite her loss. 

However, my friend only represents a small percentage of women who were able to stay semi-successful and make things work with the loss of their workplace. Many other women who lost their jobs were not as fortunate enough to have an alternative plan and had to deal with all sorts of issues including lack of childcare support and health care, which led to extreme concern globally. In addition, it has become increasingly difficult for women to go back and make a living due to the continuous unpaid care duties with concern to pandemic restrictions. 

The pandemic didn’t just affect jobs; it affected how we view the workplace. It’s clear that pushing for gender equality and flexibility in work isn’t just a “nice to have”– it’s essential for a more balanced, resilient future. So, here’s to raising awareness, pushing for better policies, and making sure women don’t just recover but thrive in a post-pandemic world.