Women’s careers have long been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic.

Women’s careers have long been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic.

McKinsey reports women’s jobs are 1.8 times more vulnerable to this crisis than men’s jobs (1) and many face higher rates of unemployment and long-term joblessness.

In Australia, it's not surprising that 84% of freelancers are women. According to the 2019 Australian Freelancing Jungle report (2), the top eight reasons why people choose to freelance include:

1. To spend more time with my family/ manage parenting needs better.

2. For the feeling of freedom and commanding my own destiny.

3. I was made redundant/ pushed out/ fired and landed here.

4. To manage a physical or mental health issue better.

. I was looking for job satisfaction I couldn’t find working for someone else.

6. I was sick of working for jerk bosses or toxic workplaces, industries etc.

7. I’m a rebel: working for other people doesn’t suit me.

8. To make more money.

I can relate to several of these reasons. I've been freelancing for 10 years for family flexibility and I replaced my corporate income by working fewer hours in just three months.

During the pandemic, my freelance writing business thrived and I'm convinced women can future-proof cash flow by creating a side gig, even a completely new way to work using your existing 9 am -5 pm skills.

Freelancing is not for everyone, but if you need a way to restore your cashflow, think about it as a possible pathway.

Listen to what others say by reading the reports and I can also recommend two "Freelancing Female" Facebook Groups I follow. Take a look at my FB page where I also aim to share practical and helpful advice.

Sources:

1. https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/covid-19-and-gender-equality-countering-the-regressive-effects)

2. https://freelancejungle.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FJ-Survey-2019-FINAL.pdf

FB Groups