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NEW REPORT: WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY PLUMMETS IN WAKE OF PANDEMIC

  • 61 per cent of job losses since May 2021 have been female jobs.
  • Young women have suffered the biggest impact with payroll jobs falling by 25 per cent for 15–19-year-old females and 13 per cent for 20–29-year-old females.
  • Women in Western and South Western Sydney have been impacted the hardest.

The NSW Premier has been urged to focus on a “Pink Hi-Vis Recovery” as the State builds back from the COVID pandemic, prioritising women’s economic security and an urgent investment in social housing as key to employment growth.

The calls come from NCOSS, Country Women’s Association, PCYC, Financial Councillors Association, Local Government NSW, Mission Australia, Older Women’s Network, Castle Disability Services and St Vincent De Paul as part of Anti-Poverty Week.

The organisations are also releasing a new report from Equity Economics, which highlights the urgent need to invest in women’s economic security by building more social housing.

The report finds that the pandemic has worsened the housing insecurity of women in NSW with:

  • The number of people seeking specialist homelessness services who had experienced family and domestic violence increasing by 7.1 per cent in 2020-21, compared to a 3.2 per cent increase in demand for all specialist homelessness services.
  • 4,812 women currently being forced to stay in an unsafe and violent home, or face homelessness - with up to 2,402 women returning to live with a violent partner because of lack of an affordable alternative, and a further 2,410 homeless because they could not find secure and permanent housing after leaving violence.
  • Rents in regional areas rising over the past two years with properties in the cheapest quartile increasing by 13 per cent.
  • Median rents for a two-bedroom home in greater Sydney being 65% of the average income for single parents
  • A 9.8 per cent increase in reports of domestic violence to police over June 2019-June 2021.

In response to this dire situation, the NSW Government is being urged to fast-track 5,000 additional social housing units, which will stimulate the NSW economy, delivering $4.5 billion in economic output and almost 14,000 jobs.

The organisations are also pushing for a long-term funding boost to domestic violence and specialist homelessness services.

NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty said it’s time to invest in women’s economic security by building more social and affordable housing.

“We are calling on the NSW Government to invest in a “Pink Hi-Vis Recovery” which supports women in need, helps local communities build back after COVID, while growing the broader NSW economy,” Ms Quilty said.

“Women have been more affected than men by job losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in West and South West Sydney.

“By building more social and affordable housing, we can support women fleeing violence and give local communities and the construction industry a much needed boost.”

To access the research, click here: Rebuilding Women’s Economic Security – Investing in Social Housing in NSW

Download the Media Release Here: Broad Coalition Urge New Premier to Invest in Pink Hi-Vis Recovery

Join the coalition of voices and support A Pink Hi-Vis Recovery campaign!

Media contact: Nick Trainor – 0407 078 138