New maps show where contraceptive access falls short
Birth control remains legal across the United States. But new data show that for millions of women, getting it may depend heavily on where they live. New county-level maps …
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State-by-State
81 articles -
Reproductive Rights
As of September — Reproductive rights remain sharply divided across the country. Abortion is banned in some states while others continue protecting or expanding access, and voters in several states will decide abortion-related ballot measures in November. Medication abortion and other reproductive-health policies remain the subject of active litigation, while proposals involving fetal personhood and pregnancy continue to raise questions about how reproductive rights may be defined and enforced.
53 articles -
National
This page brings together WRDI posts that examine women’s rights across the United States, including the current national summary and other nationwide developments.
45 articles -
Healthcare Access
As of September — Access to women’s healthcare continues to vary by location, provider availability, insurance coverage, and funding. A new March of Dimes report finds that one in three U.S. counties is a maternity care desert, while hospital closures and obstetric workforce shortages continue to reduce access. Federal Medicaid cuts and other program changes are expected to reduce funding and access to coverage, even as some states expand women’s health services and protections.
41 articles -
Voting & Civic
As of August 2026 — Voting rights and political representation remain under growing pressure ahead of the 2026 elections. While states continue advancing voter ID, eligibility, and election-administration policies, federal actions are also reshaping election oversight and voter registration. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's recent Voting Rights Act ruling continues to influence redistricting disputes and voting-rights litigation, affecting both access to voting and political representation.
34 articles -
Women's Health
28 articles -
State Summary
24 articles -
Wisconsin
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Workplace Rights
As of August 2026 — Workplace protections for women increasingly depend on state law and employer policy rather than consistent national standards. Federal policy changes and challenges to DEI programs continue to affect workplace equity initiatives, while some states are expanding paid leave and other worker protections. As a result, workplace rights and benefits vary widely across the country.
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Legislation
Covers bills and statutes considered or enacted by state or federal legislatures. This tag includes proposals moving through committees, floor votes, and signed laws that shape women’s health, safety, workplace rights, education, and civic participation.
18 articles -
Texas
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Education
As of August 2026 — Education policy remains highly contested across the country, particularly on issues involving gender identity, athletics, curriculum content, and parental authority. A recent Supreme Court ruling allows states to base girls' and women's sports eligibility on biological sex under Title IX. Restrictions on DEI programs, higher-education governance, and state education laws continue to reshape school policies and campus support systems.
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Violence & Safety
As of August 2026 — Policies related to gender identity and biological sex continue to shift across the United States, particularly in education, healthcare, sports participation, and public accommodations. At the same time, many domestic violence and sexual assault support systems face funding pressures and service gaps, creating uneven access to protections and support services across states.
15 articles -
California
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Virginia
15 articles -
Newsletter
WRDI Watch is the Women’s Rights Data Initiative’s bi-weekly newsletter tracking how laws, policies, and court decisions are shaping women’s rights across the United States. Most issues highlight key developments we’re monitoring, while occasional special editions take a deeper look at emerging trends, major policy shifts, or important state stories.
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Oregon
11 articles -
Illinois
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Georgia
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Missouri
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Gender Identity
Highlights policies affecting transgender women, transgender men, nonbinary people, and other gender-expansive individuals whose rights intersect with women’s-rights issues.
9 articles -
Explainers & Guides
Explainers provide clear, plain-language context for complex topics affecting women’s rights. These posts break down how policies, legal frameworks, and systems work—so readers can better understand the background behind current debates and policy changes.
9 articles -
New York
9 articles -
Ohio
9 articles -
Executive Action
Covers orders, directives, or administrative decisions made by governors, presidents, or state agencies. These actions often affect the implementation of existing laws or create new policies without requiring a legislative vote.
9 articles -
Trends
8 articles -
Florida
8 articles -
Court Decision
Covers rulings from state or federal courts that affect women’s rights. This includes decisions that interpret or block laws, reshape existing protections, or set legal precedents in women’s health, workplace, safety, civic participation, and education.
8 articles -
Alabama
7 articles -
North Carolina
7 articles -
Maryland
7 articles -
South Carolina
7 articles -
2026 Elections
6 articles -
Tennessee
6 articles -
Featured
6 articles -
Louisiana
5 articles -
Alaska
5 articles -
Pennsylvania
5 articles -
New Jersey
5 articles -
Massachusetts
4 articles -
District of Columbia
4 articles -
Washington
4 articles -
Arkansas
4 articles -
Arizona
4 articles -
Nevada
3 articles -
Idaho
3 articles -
North Dakota
3 articles -
Kansas
3 articles -
Ballot Measure
Covers initiatives and referendums decided directly by voters. These measures often appear on state ballots and can expand, restrict, or protect women’s rights—especially in areas like reproductive freedom or constitutional amendments.
3 articles -
Mississippi
3 articles -
Connecticut
3 articles -
Directive
3 articles -
Wisconsin 2026
2 articles -
Nebraska
2 articles -
Utah
2 articles -
Colorado
2 articles -
South Dakota
2 articles -
Minnesota
2 articles -
Vermont
1 article -
This Week in Women’s Rights
1 article
