Dress for Success was founded on the belief that socio-economic disparities need to be confronted and overturned to ensure equity and advancement for all women.
As two pandemics – COVID-19 and systemic racism – converge on a global scale, the extent to which the women we serve are vulnerable have been illuminated:
- Women are bearing the brunt of COVID-19’s disruption, according to the World Economic Forum, serving as caregivers while also holding the majority of jobs being impacted or eliminated in response to the pandemic.
- Further, women of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, according to the Center for American Progress, exacerbating the economic and health disparities to which they were already exposed.
Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that the pandemic is having a significant impact on our clients’ employment, finances and mental health according to our affiliates:
- 79% report clients have been laid off
- 85% report clients have filed for unemployment benefits
- 64% report clients have been furloughed
- 66% report clients are facing financial hardship
- 53% report clients face food insecurity due to job loss
- 33% report clients housing is at risk due to job loss
- 77% report clients feel anxious and stressed about their financial future
As the only global employment resource for women, we are committed to giving every woman that turns to us for help what she needs most – a voice and a pathway to economic independence.
Our ability to meet the needs of our clients is more crucial than ever as we help them navigate the uncertainties of this new reality for the foreseeable future. Your donation helps us continue to provide programs and services that are critical to our clients, their families, their communities and the global economy.
