Five years after the onset of the pandemic reshaped the economic and social landscape of the Commonwealth, state leaders are taking stock of the long-term toll on women and girls. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) has announced a virtual report briefing scheduled for November 5, 2026, to unpack the findings of its latest publication, Impact of COVID-19: Five Years Later (2026 Update).
The upcoming session serves as a direct follow-up to the commission’s extensive research series released between 2020 and 2022, which documented the impact of COVID-19 and related recommendations to improve the status of all women in the Commonwealth. The virtual briefing will run from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, offering an open forum to examine persistent disparities and shifting demographics.
MCSW Promotes Equity for Women and Girls
Legislatively created in 1998 as an independent state agency, the MCSW operates with a mandate to advance women and girls toward full equity and to promote fundamental rights across all areas of life. The agency’s governance structure relies on 19 volunteer commissioners appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Caucus of Women Legislators. This coalition represents constituents regardless of age, race, color, creed, abilities, language, socioeconomic background, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender assigned at birth.
The upcoming briefing aims to translate complex longitudinal data into actionable insights.
Free Public Briefing Offers Accessibility Services
Organizers have structured the event to ensure wide public participation. The briefing is entirely free and open to the public, though registration is required through the commission’s online portal at bit.ly/MCSWreportbrief.
To accommodate diverse attendees, the commission has integrated several accessibility measures into the virtual format. ASL interpreting and closed captioning will be provided during the live broadcast. Individuals who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, or require language interpretation services—including Spanish and Portuguese—can submit accommodation requests directly through the registration form or by contacting the agency at mcsw@mass.gov.
