New DEI Backlash: How Policy Reversals are Undermining Progress for Women

In the United States, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are organization frameworks that seek to promote the fair treatment and full participation of all people, particularly groups who have historically been underrepresented or subject to discrimination based upon identity or disability. Over the past few years, the government of the United States has been working diligently to install DEI into all aspects of society. Some initiatives that have resulted from this effort include the promotion of educational equity for supporting underserved communities and Health and Human Services tasked with improving health outcomes for marginalized groups. More specifically, DEI advancements have heavily affected women in their hope for closing the gap of gender-based opportunities. 

However, many of these changes have been revoked, leading to a society that no longer holds DEI as a priority. The DEI backlash has had a direct impact on women in the workplace, a struggle that women around the world have been attempting to rectify. According to USA Today, the average number of employees who identified gender diversity as a high priority in the workplace dropped around 9% over the past year. Not only has the current government influenced the dynamics of employees in different businesses, but they have spread ignorance to diversity across the country. Furthermore, women are outnumbered 5 to 1 in senior leadership, and while their presence has gradually grown in corporate America, they are much less likely to hold a leadership position as opposed to men. “We know that more diverse teams do better. We know that companies that take advantage of the full labor force do better,” said Sheryl Sandberg, the founder of LeanIn.Org and former COO of Facebook owner Meta. “This is an opportunity for us to make sure that commitment doesn’t wane because that commitment is so important.”

Another direct impact of DEI regression is the U.S. Military Academy and their club availability. On President Trump’s first day in office, he signed an executive order to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the federal government and all that are supported by federal funds. As a result, the U.S. Military Academy is reviewing programs and activities affiliated with the former office of DEI. West Point was forced to disband clubs for women and minorities following the governmental orders from the Trump Administration. 12 clubs were immediately disbanded that had been associated with women and ethnic or racial groups. Some of these clubs include the Corbin Forum, a group founded in 1976 when women were first admitted to West Point to promote female leadership, and the Society of Women Engineers Club. 

Moreover, the newly issued freeze of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has primarily affected the direct recipients of the aid it provides. International health organizations have warned that President Trump’s push to dismantle U.S. foreign aid and orders barring DEI policies are destroying programs that once provided unlimited health care to millions of women and girls worldwide. The Guardian informs, “for nearly a decade, Congress has appropriated 607.5 million dollars in foreign aid for family planning, funding that experts predict would have provided modern contraceptives to 47 million women and girls.” Yet, the Trump Administration issued a stop-work order on foreign aid, effectively halting medical support, despite the necessity of worldwide organizations such as USAID. The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 130,390 women each day will be denied access to contraception, with 11.7 million women denied after the 90-day pause, resulting in as many as 4.2 million unintended pregnancies and more than 8,340 maternal deaths.

The reversal of DEI initiatives in the United States has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for women in the workforce, education, and global health. As organizations and institutions are forced to scale back on diversity efforts, the progress made in gender equity is at risk of being undone. While advocates continue to emphasize the importance of inclusion, the ongoing policy reversals highlight the fragile nature of progress and the need for continued efforts to ensure equity for all.

Sources:

Anemona Hartocollis. “West Point Disbands Clubs for Women and Minorities after Trump DEI Orders.” The New York Times, 6 Feb. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/us/west-point-clubs-women-minorities.html.

Glenza, Jessica. ““A Fight for Our Lives”: Trump’s USAid Freeze Is Harming Millions of Women and Girls.” The Guardian, The Guardian, 13 Feb. 2025, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/13/usaid-funding-freeze-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com. Accessed 17 Feb. 2025.

Guynn, Jessica. “LeanIn Says DEI Commitments to Women Just Declined for the First Time in 10 Years.” USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 17 Sept. 2024, www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/09/17/dei-backlash-hits-women-workplace/75264686007/.