What will happen to women’s rights under Trump?

Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th President of the U.S, has had his fair share of time in office and has made many changes to women’s rights across the country, many of which are still in action. Trump has pushed forward policies that many believe have undermined women’s rights, particularly in areas such as reproductive rights and gender equality. From equality to abortion, his policies have sparked both concern and resistance throughout the nation.

Perhaps one of Trump’s most infamous moves during his presidency was appointing Supreme Court judges that were known to be conservative, thus playing in his favor, leading to the Dobbs decision in 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade. This ended federal protection for abortion rights and gave states the ability to restrict or ban abortion. As a result, many states have passed stricter laws, with 12 out of the 50 states having banned it. Under Trump’s current administration, it seems likely that this trend will continue, further limiting reproductive rights in many areas.

In fact, Trump has just recently signed Executive Order 14182 on January 24, 2025. This executive order enforced the Hyde Amendment, prohibiting federal funds from being used for abortions except in emergency cases. This executive order has sparked backlash from women’s rights groups who see it as a direct assault on women’s healthcare access. These policies are seen as a step backward for reproductive rights, leaving many to worry about the long-term impact on women’s autonomy over their bodies.

In 2017, Donald Trump rolled back key Obama-era regulations aimed at reducing gender discrimination in the workplace. One of the most significant moves was ending the requirement for federal contractors to disclose gender pay data. The policy initially aimed to shine a light on these discrepancies and hold companies accountable for their wage practices. For example, in 2016, women in the U.S. earned 82 cents for every dollar earned by men, with women of color facing even larger gaps. By ending the requirement for federal contractors to disclose this data, the Trump administration made it harder to identify and address pay gaps between men and women.

In 2025, Trump took things further by revoking Executive Order 11246, which required contractors to implement non-discrimination policies and programs including addressing gender-based disparities. By revoking this order, Trump has removed many of the restrictions that initially held contractors responsible for fostering equality in their workplaces. Many argue that this decision could exacerbate gender discrimination, as women may continue to face barriers to accessing leadership roles, high-paying fields, and equitable promotions. This has left many to speculate about the potential consequences for women’s advancement in the workplace

Both in his first term and now in 2025 Trump has made significant changes to policies that were put in place to address gender-based disparities in the workplace. The policies that have resulted during Trump’s administration have raised concerns about the potential impact on efforts to achieve gender equality and fair treatment for women in the workforce. Additionally, with policies that could limit women’s access to healthcare and hinder progress on gender equality in the workforce, many fear that women’s rights are facing a setback under Trump’s leadership.