How COVID-19 Hurts Women More

The coronavirus pandemic threw a curve ball at parents across Illinois this year. As schools and child care centers began to close in March and April, parents were suddenly forced to juggle their work, Zoom school and 24/7 child care. With children at home and more household responsibilities, working mothers in particular have had to reduce their job hours or walk away altogether — that is, if they didn’t lose their jobs because of the pandemic.

The 21st explores the disproportionate economic toll the pandemic on women with a panel of three guests and what policy changes they want to see coming out of this pandemic. 

Guests:

Julie Kashen, Director for Women’s Economic Justice at the Century Foundation 

Rachael Dietkus, Associate Director of Programs at Siebel Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Cheryl Forest Morganson, Mother and a freelancer working to earn her doctor of musical arts in vocal coaching

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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