The International Labour Organization stated that the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed women more than men concerning job losses, and it is likely that the employment sector will only recover for men this year, returning to 2019 levels. The UN-affiliated organization noted that "women are more likely to be laid off or have their hours cut during periods of economic and social restrictions to combat the pandemic, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, food services, and manufacturing."
Not only have many women suffered significant income losses, but they also continue to bear the brunt of unpaid caregiving activities. The organization added, "Although the anticipated job growth in 2021 for women exceeds that for men, it will not be sufficient to restore women's employment to pre-pandemic levels."
It explained that 4.2% of women's jobs were lost globally between 2019 and 2020 due to the pandemic, equating to a decrease of 54 million jobs, compared to three percent of men's employment. It indicated that the number of working women in 2021 is expected to be 13 million less than in 2019, while the number of working men is expected to remain the same as in 2019.
