WOMEN have been the hardest hit by falling employment in Bendigo since the COVID-19 crisis began.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Among men employment rates have actually risen.
Advocates say the crisis is likely to have long-term ramifications for women's financial wellbeing.
Read more: Family violence worsens during pandemic
Figures for the year to July show employment has fallen overall in the Bendigo region since January, mostly among women.
Conversely more men were employed in July than in January.
The number of unemployed women in the Bendigo region has more than doubled since January.
Women's Health Loddon Mallee chief executive Tricia Currie said the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on women were concerning, particularly for young women.
Ms Currie said casual and insecure work, in some of the worst affected industries and caring responsibilities, were more common for women.
She said the effect of employment disruption on women was likely to continue later in life, hitting their superannuation.
Ms Currie said many women worked in the hospitality and service industries, which would take time to recover.
She said pre-existing inequality among women and young people - frequentl underemployed or in insecure work - meant Australia would not be starting from scratch when society reopened.
Ms Currie urged leaders to redesign systems as part of Australia's recovery from the crisis, to address structural inequalities.
She said she would love the nation to consciously leave no one behind in its recovery.
A total 2200 fewer people were employed in the Bendigo region in July than in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Labour Force.
About 3000 fewer women were in employment in July than January. Conversely, about 800 more men were working.
The employment to population ratio fell by 4.5 per cent among women. It rose by one per cent among men.
Overall the ratio fell by 1.9 per cent, from 58.2 per cent to 56.3 per cent.
In January there were 4,800 unemployed people in the Bendigo region, 3500 men and 1300 women.
By July the number of unemployed women had more than doubled, reaching 3000.
Less than half the number of men were unemployed than in January, down to 1300 by July.
OTHER NEWS:
The Bendigo region's unemployment rate dropped slightly from January to July, from 5.8 per cent to 5.6 per cent.
Among women that rate rose by 4.5 per cent, from 3.4 per cent to 8.1 per cent. Among men it dropped 4.3 per cent, from 7.9 per cent to 3.6 per cent.
The ABS defines unemployment as someone who during a specific period was not employed for one hour or more, is actively seeking work, and is currently available for work.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.