Women have survived the pandemic at a higher rate, however, surviving the economic impact of covid remains more crucial for women, writes Brittany Fisher of Financiallywell.info
According to the most recent data, about 50% more men than women have died from COVID-19 globally. Despite that disparity, the pandemic has continued to have a regressive effect on gender equality for women around the world. Divas of Colour invites you to explore how the pandemic has affected women — and how women can turn the tide.
How the Pandemic Has Affected Women at Work
Women are 1.8 times more likely than men to have had their jobs affected by the pandemic. Even though women account for 39% of the global workforce, they have suffered 54% of the pandemic-related job losses. One of the primary reasons this has occurred is that the COVID outbreak has significantly increased the need for unpaid care, most of which is performed by women. Another factor is that women are more likely than men to be employed in some of the worst-hit industries.
Women’s entrepreneurship has also taken a hit. This may be due in part to the increase in time women have been spending on family responsibilities, such as caring for children, cooking, and cleaning. It may also reflect a lack of access to resources because men and children working and studying at home may get the majority of access to computers and other digital devices.
How the Pandemic Has Affected Women at Home
Increased stress and isolation have led to an increase in domestic violence. Stay-at-home moms and working moms alike have suddenly found themselves responsible for their children’s care and education as schools have shut down in response to outbreaks. Women are suffering from hypertension and heart disease and binge drinking at higher rates.
Options for Women Facing Pandemic-Related Job Losses
The Internet provides economic opportunities for women who have lost jobs or can not return to the workforce due to family responsibilities. Side hustles, such as writing a blog, doing freelance work, or being a virtual assistant, that can be done from home are popular options. Some women also become illustrators, but how much do illustrators make? On average, illustrators make between $15 and $30, making it an excellent source of income.
Why Marketing Your Business Is Important
If you are one of the women turning to entrepreneurship to deal with pandemic-related income losses, marketing your new business is critically important. A good marketing plan is how you identify and attract the customer base you need to make your business succeed.
A well-designed logo can help you make a strong first impression, build your brand, and set yourself apart from the competition. If you do not have the budget to pay for a professional logo design, consider using an online logo maker. All you need to do is select a style and an icon that matches the image of your brand and then add some text. You can adjust the finished product to have just the right fonts and colours.
The pandemic has negatively impacted the lives of many women due to the way it has exacerbated existing inequities in the workforce and home life. However, women who are learning to navigate a new normal now have an opportunity to flip the script by using this opportunity to launch new businesses and careers that they may have not been able to attempt while entrenched in pre-pandemic careers and other responsibilities. Reversing the pandemic-related regression of gender equality is vital not only for improving the lives of women who are currently impacted but also for avoiding future recurrences of these issues.