NEW REPORT | During this pandemic, young women have been left to pick up the pieces.

Read this thread on the impact coronavirus has had on their careers, finances, home life and mental health.

Full report: https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Young women are disproportionately likely to work in the sectors that have been worst affected by the lockdown. More than a quarter of young women have lost income, and 1 in 10 have lost their job.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Many young women were struggling financially before the pandemic hit. Loss of income and rising costs have left almost a third of young women struggling to make cash last until the end of the month.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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We found that many young women were struggling to access sufficient finances to support themselves of their family during the crisis with many claiming benefits to get by.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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More than 1 in 10 young women reported skipping meals to make ends meet. This increased to more than 1 in 3 for young women who are single parents.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Young women opened up to us about the true toll of the pandemic on their mental health. 17% of young women felt they ‘have no one to turn to’.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Young women were more likely to say their mental health had become worse over the last 12 months, and young women with a disability or long term health condition were much more likely to say this.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Prior to the current crisis women already carried out 60% more unpaid work than men. Now young women are facing increasing levels of unpaid work and this is impacting their access to paid employment.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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This additional workload has impacted their mental health, with almost 1 in 5 young women with children reporting that managing childcare was negatively affecting their mental health.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Our research showed a clear picture of young women feeling ignored and therefore untrusting of the current government. Only 11% of young women were confident in the government to do what’s right for them.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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Less than 1 in 10 young women thought women’s equality had improved in the last year. Half of 18-24 year old women are concerned about men and women becoming less equal.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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2020 has been a challenging year for most people, however our research shows that young women are among those hardest hit by the economic fallout of the pandemic.

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The government need to ensure that this heavy load which young women have been carrying is recognised and address in their recovery plans.

https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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It is crucial that no young woman is left behind in the aftermath of the pandemic. If the government wants to help the country recover they need to listen to young women.

Read young women’s recommendations to the government here: https://www.youngwomenstrust.org/what_we_do/media_centre/blogs/1184_picking_up_the_pieces_young_women_s_experiences_of_2020

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