Statistics show that working women have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in January 2021 alone, some 275,000 women—accounting  for nearly 80% of all workers over age 20 – left the workforce.

But several Atlanta organizations have joined together to provide women with guidance and tactical tools to help combat this dip in employment. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative (WEI), in partnership with Invest Atlanta, WorkSource Atlanta, the Mayor’s Office of International Affairs (MOIA) and One Atlanta, launched “Women in the Workplace” – a hybrid roundtable and marketplace initiative featuring monthly programming to serve women throughout the city. 

According to Monica Hooks, executive director of the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, the campaign is designed to identify, mobilize and spotlight partner solutions targeting gaps in Atlanta’s underserved communities made evident by the pandemic.

The kickoff event, held Sept. 13-17, featured citywide programs and resources specific to women. Monthly programming will continue to serve women throughout Atlanta by addressing five areas of focus: Economic Mobility; Mental Health; Entrepreneurship; Families & Childcare; and Capital Investment & Resource Allotment.

“The risk of women leaving the labor force and reducing work hours in order to assume caretaking responsibilities amounts to tens of billions of dollars per year in lost wages and economic activity,” explained Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “For a healthy, equitable economy, women, particularly those in underserved communities, need access to resources like ‘Women in the Workplace’ so they can continue to be strong financial contributors while also caring for their loved ones.”

To learn more or to register for the event, visit www.weiatlanta.com/womenintheworkplace.