How the Coronavirus Pandemic Places a Greater Burden on Working Women

Women dropped out of the U.S. workforce at a rate eight times
higher than men last month, according to CNN. Meanwhile, a recent
report from McKinsey and Lean.org found that one in four women are
considering downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce due
to Covid-19. Women in service industries have seen their jobs
disappear, while those who are able to work from home are
struggling to shoulder more responsibilities. Many of the pressures
women already face in the workforce such as the gender pay gap,
barriers to advancement and lack of flexibility have been
exacerbated by the pandemic. Some experts warn that the pandemic
could wipe out hard-won progress women have made in leadership and
wages over past years. The crisis could, however, usher in new
policies, standards and support systems for women across industries
and income levels. We’ll talk with experts about how working women
are faring during the pandemic and how to address the challenges.