Yes, Covid-19 has turned the clock back on women's equality
Unemployment rates and essential workers disproportionately affect women during the pandemic
Unemployment rates have increased for women in the United States during the covid-19 pandemic and women are more likely to work in front line positions, exposing them to the virus. Women are also more likely to be in caretaking positions in family structures and with their focus on caring for a sick family member or homeschooling children, this leads to less time for focusing on possible advancement in their jobs and potentially leaving their jobs to become a caretaker full time. Women are also more likely to experience domestic violence with abusive partners, and with quarantining, have fewer places to turn to. Women's equality cannot advance if they are more at risk of joblessness, illness, and violence.
No, Covid-19 has not turned the law back on women's equality
Social media has allowed a platform for female experiences to be shared and listened to
Over lockdown, we have all be spending more time on online. Social media use, while having it's negative effects, has allowed women to share their experiences in a new intimate way. The Sarah Everard case, for example, allowed women to express their rage at social inequalities and to call men to action. While structural change needs to take place to allow for true equality to be achieved, protests and popularity in the news and discussions shows that gender equality is still a prominent social issue.
