March is the month in which we celebrate both International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day in the UK. This year, we felt it was important to reflect, and raise awareness of how the pandemic has affected something we, as an organization (and all of us as a society), are constantly working on - gender equality.

2020 was the most challenging year for all of us, but especially for working parents who found themselves without childcare, homeschooling, while still working. And although some families are sharing childcare between both parents, findings from a study published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) show that, in most cases, it is still mothers who are bearing the brunt of childcare, amplifying the already existing “motherhood penalty” women face.

According to Women In The Workplace 2020 report by McKinsey, more than one in four women were contemplating downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce completely, as a result of a change of family dynamics both in the home and at the workplace during the pandemic. The report conducted by The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), shows that women today earn just 49% of the typical men’s dollar, they lose 39% of lifetime earnings after just one year out of the workforce, so the penalties of taking time out of the labor force are high and increasing, and strengthening women’s labor force attachment is critical to narrowing the gender wage gap.

So, this year, more than ever, it’s important that we all take action for equality, raise awareness about the challenges the pandemic has had on family dynamics both in the home and at the workplace, and talk about the action plan.

AGENDA

• 6:00pm - Webinar starts
• 6.00 - 6.05pm - Women of Wearables - 5-minute presentation
• 6.05 - 7.30pm - Panel discussion + Q&A
• 7.30pm - Webinar finishes