According to an article posted July 1, 2020 on the World Economic Forum website, the COVID-19 pandemic is "affecting all countries, destroying jobs, increasing poverty, and putting at risk the hard-won gender equality gains of the last few decades."

The WEF article says, in part, that women often work in the informal sector more frequently than men, and therefore have less job security and social protection, as well as lower pay. Also, women usually carry the highest burden of housework and are shouldering most of the costs triggered by school closures and the health risks posed to elderly family members because of the virus.

Even before the pandemic hit, data published by Rice University indicated single women who care for their elderly parents are over twice as likely to live in poverty compared to non-caregivers when they get older. Matters are made worse when a family lacks resources, or has had limited resources for generations.

This podcast is an excerpt from The Shadow of Poverty: Dialog Journalism®: Putting Into Context Generational Poverty, Stigma and Health Outcomes" Paperback (ISBN-13 : 979-8584421793). The book, which gives personal insight on generational poverty and caregiving, was written by Geodialog Media LLC CEO Christine Marie Nielsen. The audiobook is narrated by Marla Briggs.

The full content of this book served as a basis for a Dialog Journalism® brand online event from Geodialog Media. Geodialog Media is a digital media company that is the true creator of Dialog Journalism®. Geodialog Media has been using its branded dialogic-based methodology to facilitate global solutions since 2012.

Dialog Journalism® involves creating a solution-focused dissemination of news that integrates traditional international editorial content and an online social media forum in an effort to resolve global issues. Geodialog Media provides an Internet news portal featuring links to news stories and articles about current events and includes a website featuring articles and RSS feeds, micro blogging feeds, and video in the field of current events.

The online Geodialog™ event created for the topic of The Shadow of Poverty  involved individuals impacted by generational poverty and caregiving, as well as academic and media professionals, representatives of religious institutions, nonprofits and the general public.

Discussion included the WEF's note that fiscal policies that address gender equality - such as subsidized childcare and investments in education - may be part of the solution.