ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - The most recent jobless numbers show women are still struggling to stay in the workforce. Last year, KMOX News brought you an in-depth look at how women were disproportionately impacted by the effects of the COVID Recession.
Hiring in April was disappointing for analysts, with only 250,000 jobs added compared to an anticipated one million. Women did gain most of the jobs added to the economy. Yet Keri Koehler, Executive Director, Women's Foundation of Greater St. Louis, says that good news was tempered by more disappointment.
"We actually saw more women exit the labor force. So 165,000 did drop out of the labor force in April and we actually hadn't seen a decrease like that since January of this year," she says.
Related
Koehler says the summer months -- when kids are out of school -- will be telling when it comes to the impact childcare has on women in the work force.
At the slow pace jobs are currently being added, she estimates it will be at least two years before employment for women reaches pre-pandemic levels.
@2021 Audacy (KMOX). All rights reserved.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Follow KMOX
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram