United States: Pandemic hits women harder

Gabriella Cook Francis on how Covid has set back gender equality

The World Today
2 minute READ

Covid has exposed and deepened inequalities in the American economy, and early evidence shows the pandemic could be a singularly catastrophic event for working women. 

The data is clear: women across racial groups, employment sectors and income levels – particularly women with children – are falling behind.

After decades of steadily improving gender parity in the workplace, women in the United States are being squeezed by a pandemic-induced recession.

Subscribe to read all issues

Articles from the current issue are free to read by all, the archive is exclusive to magazine subscribers and our members. Subscribe or become a member to view articles from the archive.