Women Lost $800 Billion in Income in 2020 Due to COVID-19: Report
Women are overrepresented in sectors hit hard by the pandemic, the Oxfam research found.
By Sophia Sun
LONDON, April 29 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) — The COVID-19 crisis cost women around the world $800 billion in lost income in 2020, Oxfam said on Thursday, as it demanded steps to tackle gender inequality.
Women, overrepresented in low-paid, precarious sectors like retail, tourism, and food services, lost more than 64 million jobs last year, said the charity, a 5% total loss, compared to a 3.9% loss for men.
The pandemic has "dealt a striking blow" to recent gains for women in the workforce, said Oxfam Executive Director Gabriela Bucher, in a written statement.