United States: Pandemic hits women harder

Gabriella Cook Francis on how Covid has set back gender equality

The World Today Published 4 February 2022 2 minute READ

Gabriella Cook Francis

Former Academy Associate, US and the Americas Programme

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.

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