The Future of Women's Workforce Equity: How Policy Shifts Could Disrupt Progress

Due to recent and significant events, I found it necessary to pause my usual routine of blogging for a while. There was a considerable amount of information and emotions to process during this time. In this upcoming post, I will share some important and relevant facts, and I sincerely hope to bring you some much-needed hope and inspiration after the challenging happenings of last month.

As we approach the release of the DOL’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget in February, source, it's critical to reflect on the significant strides made by the Women's Bureau (WB) in recent years and assess the potential challenges that lie ahead. The FY 2024 and FY 2025 initiatives were instrumental in advancing gender and racial equity in the workforce. However, recent executive orders from the Trump administration suggest that these efforts may face serious disruption—impacting not only women in business but also those unemployed and striving for economic stability.

The Impact of the Women's Bureau: A Look at FY 2024 and FY 2025

Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement - The WB has been a driving force in ensuring underserved communities receive the support they need. In FY 2024, the bureau formed 548 strategic partnerships with organizations primarily serving marginalized groups, extending vital resources to women seeking sustainable career opportunities. These collaborations helped close economic gaps by addressing barriers to job access, workforce development, and leadership opportunities.

Policy & Research for Workplace Equity - The WB produced 67 policy and research deliverables focused on key issues such as pay equity, childcare accessibility, occupational segregation, and gender-based harassment. This research has served as the foundation for pushing forward equitable workforce policies, benefitting not just individual workers but entire industries striving for fair labor practices.

Funding for Workforce Advancement - With $8.65 million in grants allocated in FY 2024, the WB significantly expanded women's access to high-paying infrastructure jobs. These investments also aimed to ensure safer workplaces free from gender-based violence and harassment, setting a precedent for further federal initiatives promoting economic mobility for women.

The Looming Threat: How Executive Orders Could Reverse Progress

While the WB’s initiatives have laid a strong foundation, the new administration's policy decisions are poised to undermine this progress. Executive orders from the Trump administration have signaled a rollback on workplace equity policies, reduced funding for diversity programs, and a shift in federal priorities away from gender-focused economic interventions.

Potential Disruptions to Workforce Equity

• Defunding Critical Programs: If DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) initiatives are slashed from the budget, organizations that have relied on WB grants to create economic mobility for women—especially women of color—will struggle to sustain progress.

• Reduced Workplace Protections: Efforts to dismantle anti-discrimination and gender-equity labor policies could lead to an increase in workplace bias, harassment, and unequal pay, further widening the gender wage gap.

• Limited Support for Women-Owned Businesses: Entrepreneurial programs aimed at assisting women business owners in scaling their enterprises may face severe cutbacks, hindering their ability to access capital, training, and federal contracts.

Why This Matters for All Women & Families, EVERYWHERE

The potential loss of these critical workforce programs will harm all women, whether they are business owners, employees, or seeking employment. The Women’s Bureau's (WB) past investments have had ripple effects, strengthening local economies, creating livable wage opportunities, and ensuring that workplace protections extend to those who need them most.

However, this issue is not isolated to the United States alone. Globally, women face challenges in the workplace due to gender biases, unequal pay, and limited access to resources. The dismantling of such programs will exacerbate these issues, with far-reaching consequences for women worldwide. Countries that rely on international support for gender-inclusive economic policies will see their efforts stagnate. The loss of these initiatives undermines international agreements aimed at improving labor standards and women's rights, threatening the progress made toward gender equality globally.

By dismantling these initiatives, the administration is not just impacting current workers in the U.S.—it is setting back future generations of women and families who rely on equitable labor policies to build financial security. From developed nations to emerging markets, the ripple effect of policy shifts in major economies like the U.S. can hinder global progress toward fairer and more inclusive workforce standards. When women across borders lose access to the opportunities they need to thrive, communities and economies around the world are destabilized.

This is a global warning: the impact of these policy shifts is a threat to women and families everywhere.

Call to Action: Protecting the Gains We’ve Made

With the FY 2026 budget set to be released soon, now is the time for advocacy and action. Business leaders, policymakers, and everyday citizens must push for continued investments in women’s economic advancement and workplace protections. Individuals can start by educating themselves about local and national issues impacting women's rights and sharing this knowledge within their communities. Joining or forming grassroots organizations can amplify their voices, creating a collective impact. Scheduling meetings with elected officials, attending town halls, and participating in public comment sessions provide opportunities to discuss concerns directly. Writing letters, signing petitions, and utilizing social media can also raise awareness and influence decision-makers. By staying informed and actively participating in the democratic process, individuals can contribute to meaningful policy changes that promote equality for women in all spheres of life. We cannot afford to lose the progress made over the past several years.

Stay informed, stay engaged, and make your voice heard. The future of women’s workforce equity depends on it!