Unlike most previous economic crises, the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women, forcing millions out of the workforce at much higher rates than men as they shoulder the weight of tending to children in a remote learning environment and caring for the needs of other loved ones.
What does this mean for the many women struggling to return to the workforce now or in the near future? How has this economic crisis affected the decades-long struggle for pay equity? How do we help women and their families weather the pandemic in the immediacy and what types of systemic changes are needed to better support women economically moving forward?
All of these questions and more were explored at the New Jersey State Treasurer's Symposium on COVID, Women & the Economy held on June 4, 2021. A special thank you to all who participated and attended the event, which brought together leading economists, academics, and policy makers to size up the landscape and present solutions on what New Jersey – and the nation – can do to better support women in the workforce in order to build a stronger economy for all. The discussion was hosted by State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio and featured virtual appearances from Governor Phil Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy and Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver.
To view the full symposium, please visit the link below. More information on the event and panel participants can be found on our event page.
Please note: The Department of Treasury continues to assess the data and insights discussed at the symposium to fuel the implementation of policies directed towards alleviating and eradicating the challenges that have resulted in the disproportionate economic struggles faced by women. This page will be regularly updated with the new data and resources. Please check back for the latest information.
Ahead of the Treasurer’s symposium, the Department of Treasury opened an anonymous survey to learn more about the experiences of New Jerseyeans during the COVID-19 pandemic - how real residents have been affected, and what suggestions they may have related to workplace and governmental policies that could help ease the related challenges faced during the pandemic.