Dismantling DEI Threatens Our Reproductive Rights
This piece was written by a member of our 2024-2025 RJ Cultural Catalyst cohort, Yasmeen Akbar.
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women in the United States, according to the CDC. Similarly, Indigenous women and Latinas face significant challenges accessing comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including contraception, abortion and prenatal care, due to underfunded healthcare systems and restrictive policies. From abortion access to high maternal mortality rates, the barriers to accessing affordable healthcare for these women are not simple coincidences. The barriers are the product of intentional systems that prioritize control over care and exclusion over equity.
Equity in healthcare has continued to worsen with recent political moves to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, notably under the leadership of President Donald Trump and activists like Robby Starbuck. While reproductive justice advocates work tirelessly to address disparities, these rollbacks deepen inequities and reinforce a system that disproportionately harms communities of color.
At its core, reproductive justice is about more than the right to choose; it encompasses the right to have children, not have children, and to parent in safe and supportive environments. Yet systemic racism undermines all three.
These inequities are made worse by poverty, housing discrimination and limited chances for education — problems caused by racism built into our society. The legacy of forced sterilization of Black, Latina, and Indigenous women in the 20th century and the revelation that more than 100,000 mostly Black, Latina and Indigenous women were sterilized under U.S. government programs casts a long shadow, reminding us that reproductive oppression is not new but part of an enduring strategy to control marginalized bodies.
In recent years, the push to create more inclusive and equitable systems has been met with fierce resistance. According to the AP, “DEI laws and programs have been under attack for years by Republicans who contend that the measures threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities of white people, specifically white men.” And as a response to these concerns, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order that has ended DEI programs across the federal government and within public education.
By banning federal diversity training programs and framing DEI efforts as “un-American,” Trump undermined essential tools for addressing systemic injustices. These initiatives challenge institutional biases, educate leaders on the realities of systemic oppression and foster environments where equity could take root. Without them, the work of dismantling racism in healthcare and other sectors becomes even more daunting.
Steps Toward an Equitable Future
The backlash against progress is particularly alarming for reproductive justice advocates, as these initiatives were vital in holding institutions accountable for addressing racial disparities. They helped push for culturally competent healthcare, inclusive research practices and policies that centered the needs of marginalized communities. Removing these programs not only stalls progress but actively reinforces the structures that perpetuate harm. To take steps towards a more equitable future we need to:
- Legislating for Equity:
Policymakers must prioritize reproductive justice through policies that expand access to healthcare, protect abortion rights, and address social determinants of health. Efforts like the federal Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and Georgia’s Reproductive Freedom Act (which was just re-introduced in the Georgia House and Senate on Feb. 24, 2025) are critical steps in this direction.
The dismantling of DEI initiatives and the persistence of systemic racism in reproductive health reflect a broader struggle for justice and equity in America. However, this is not a fight without hope. Grassroots movements, led by visionary advocates like Loretta Ross and SisterSong, have long challenged oppression and demanded accountability. By centering their work, pushing for systemic change and refusing to be silenced, we can work toward a future where reproductive justice is not a privilege but a guarantee for all.
- Investing in Community-Based Care:
Empowering local organizations that provide culturally competent care can help address gaps in access and trust. Community health workers and midwives — who have a long history of serving BIPOC communities — should be prioritized in funding and support.
- Enforcing Accountability in Healthcare:
Implicit bias training for healthcare providers must be mandatory and paired with systemic accountability measures. Institutions should track and publicly report racial disparities in health outcomes to drive change.
To truly combat the impact of systemic racism on reproductive justice, we must move beyond surface-level solutions and focus on tackling the root causes of discrimination. This requires bold, transformative action, ensuring that we not only address immediate needs but also create lasting change that dismantles harmful systems at their core.
