“If we don’t get women back to work in the types of numbers we saw before … we won’t get the economic growth that we really need,” said Jennifer Reynolds, CEO of Toronto Financial International, a firm aimed at boosting investment in the city and encouraging women’s participation in the workforce. 

This hit on women’s employment during the time of COVID-19 has been called ‘unprecedented’ by RBC Economics. “The pandemic has pushed women’s participation in the workforce to the lowest it has been in three decades.”

This is in complete contrast to the effects of prior recessions, where men held higher numbers for job loss. Following the 2008 financial crisis, women rebounded and took the workforce by storm in 2009. However, within only the first two months of COVID-19, 1.5 million women in Canada faced job loss, and the rate of women in the job force dropped to 55%, a number that has not been seen since May of 1986. 

“It feels like we’re falling right back into an old pattern,” says Reena Parekh, a personal trainer and mother of two in Toronto. “It’s devastating in many ways, right? We fought for so long … and yet it feels like we haven’t made any progress at all.”

“I feel like I’m starting all over again after building up a business for the last few years,” she added. 

One of the hardest hit industries was the hospitality and service industry, professions dominated by women. With their places of employment completely shut down, women were unable to go back to work for months, and are only just now gradually returning. 

Many of the women being most affected by the terms of this ‘Shecession’ have been mothers. With little to no access to child care, not only are they taking on working from home or losing their jobs, but are also now full-time parenting. 

Being in a global pandemic has also made us realize the fragility of life, and has made us ask the bigger questions surrounding our careers and goals. The routine 9-5 office job has proven to be an outdated model, as we are surely shifting into a new reality. 

With the world and workforce being on pause, maybe this could be a good time for us to reflect and reset as a whole. 

So, we are now calling out to the women affected! 

Let’s break these stats and the implications they bring and show them what we’re made of!

Let’s take some time to reflect and then, as Ross would say, ‘PIVOT!’ 

Let’s continue to stand behind and support women so that they can support themselves and their families!

Let’s encourage self and professional exploration to discover our passions and ignite our spirits to pursue new paths! 

What are you passionate about, that you did not have the time or energy to pursue before? What excites you? What makes you feel creative? Is it pushing papers behind a desk, or can you envision something more that fulfills your heart and soul? Perhaps it’s finally starting that business, or beginning that creative project that you had put off for so long. 

It’s time to believe in ourselves and begin authoring our new realities. 

At Lunar & Co., we encourage all women to ignite their power and follow their innermost dreams. We believe in the power of empowered women empowering women, and are here to help elevate your voice. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest Lunar & Co. news and work!

Ps. Here’s a list of some great resources and organizations supporting women in business and moms through COVID-19: 

• Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) is providing a long list of community and business support for women. 
• Women’s Enterprise Centre offers women in business in BC relief fund money and has another great list of resources. 
• Canada Helps has begun a bulletin board of organizations in different regions across Canada providing services, food and care for women in need during COVID-19.

“If we don’t get women back to work in the types of numbers we saw before … we won’t get the economic growth that we really need,” said Jennifer Reynolds, CEO of Toronto Financial International, a firm aimed at boosting investment in the city and encouraging women’s participation in the workforce. 

This hit on women’s employment during the time of COVID-19 has been called ‘unprecedented’ by RBC Economics. “The pandemic has pushed women’s participation in the workforce to the lowest it has been in three decades.”

This is in complete contrast to the effects of prior recessions, where men held higher numbers for job loss. Following the 2008 financial crisis, women rebounded and took the workforce by storm in 2009. However, within only the first two months of COVID-19, 1.5 million women in Canada faced job loss, and the rate of women in the job force dropped to 55%, a number that has not been seen since May of 1986. 

“It feels like we’re falling right back into an old pattern,” says Reena Parekh, a personal trainer and mother of two in Toronto. “It’s devastating in many ways, right? We fought for so long … and yet it feels like we haven’t made any progress at all.”

“I feel like I’m starting all over again after building up a business for the last few years,” she added. 

One of the hardest hit industries was the hospitality and service industry, professions dominated by women. With their places of employment completely shut down, women were unable to go back to work for months, and are only just now gradually returning. 

Many of the women being most affected by the terms of this ‘Shecession’ have been mothers. With little to no access to child care, not only are they taking on working from home or losing their jobs, but are also now full-time parenting. 

Being in a global pandemic has also made us realize the fragility of life, and has made us ask the bigger questions surrounding our careers and goals. The routine 9-5 office job has proven to be an outdated model, as we are surely shifting into a new reality. 

With the world and workforce being on pause, maybe this could be a good time for us to reflect and reset as a whole. 

So, we are now calling out to the women affected! 

Let’s break these stats and the implications they bring and show them what we’re made of!

Let’s take some time to reflect and then, as Ross would say, ‘PIVOT!’ 

Let’s continue to stand behind and support women so that they can support themselves and their families!

Let’s encourage self and professional exploration to discover our passions and ignite our spirits to pursue new paths! 

What are you passionate about, that you did not have the time or energy to pursue before? What excites you? What makes you feel creative? Is it pushing papers behind a desk, or can you envision something more that fulfills your heart and soul? Perhaps it’s finally starting that business, or beginning that creative project that you had put off for so long. 

It’s time to believe in ourselves and begin authoring our new realities. 

At Lunar & Co., we encourage all women to ignite their power and follow their innermost dreams. We believe in the power of empowered women empowering women, and are here to help elevate your voice. 

Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest Lunar & Co. news and work!

Ps. Here’s a list of some great resources and organizations supporting women in business and moms through COVID-19: 

• Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) is providing a long list of community and business support for women. 
• Women’s Enterprise Centre offers women in business in BC relief fund money and has another great list of resources. 
• Canada Helps has begun a bulletin board of organizations in different regions across Canada providing services, food and care for women in need during COVID-19.