WRDI Watch

As April turned into May, I had a bit of a visceral reaction to a few of the headlines, including the latest Supreme Court ruling. But more on that later.

The one I kept coming back to was about the job market—how women are gaining jobs and, in some cases, are now outnumbering men in the workforce. On the surface, that sounds like progress. (And it is!)

But I also know how easy it is for that kind of headline to turn into something else entirely—that women are “taking” jobs, or that this is a problem we should be solving for men.

That doesn’t mean the challenges men are facing aren’t real. But it does miss the ongoing headwinds women are still dealing with.

Some of what we’re seeing is the result of long-term shifts—more women working, more women earning degrees, and a gradual rebalancing of who holds jobs. But at the same time, there are new pressures building that could make it harder for women to enter certain fields, afford the education those careers require, or move into leadership roles once they’re there.

So both things can be true at once: women can be gaining jobs and still facing new barriers that shape what those jobs lead to over time.

I guess there's some truth to the "headlines are like appetizers, but stories are the whole meal" idea.

Thanks for reading.

— Julie

P.S. We’ve added three new states to our website: Florida, Illinois, and Alaska. If you live there, or know someone who does, you can now see how the state compares across rights categories, including a current snapshot of the policy landscape.

In Brief

This week’s developments point in different directions, but together, they highlight how much is still in motion.

In the workforce, women are gaining jobs, especially in healthcare and education. These fields are growing while others, like manufacturing and construction, slow down. At the same time, changes to student loan programs and workplace supports, such as flexibility and career advancement opportunities, may affect who is able to enter these fields and how they move forward once they’re there.

In reproductive care, medication abortion remains available but is facing new legal pressure. A fast-moving court case is challenging whether abortion pills can be prescribed through telehealth and delivered by mail. Access is still in place for now, but the situation is changing quickly. Other federal actions, including an FDA review, proposed legislation, and new environmental guidance, could also shape how these medications are regulated in the future.

Featured Posts

Women are gaining jobs. But what happens next?
New labor data shows women gaining jobs—but other changes may be shaping what those gains lead to. This post looks at how shifts in education, financing, and leadership opportunities are happening at the same time.
Read the full post → Ongoing policy changes are reshaping women’s paths to leadership

Medication abortion: more than one decision shaping access
A recent court ruling has drawn attention to how abortion pills are prescribed and delivered—but it’s only one part of a broader set of changes. This post breaks down the different efforts underway and how they may shape access over time.
Take a closer look → Two new federal actions highlight growing pressure on access to medication abortion

What We're Watching

Voting Rights Act: decision issued, impact shifts to states
The Supreme Court has weakened a key part of the Voting Rights Act, limiting how Section 2 can be used to challenge voting maps. In a related move, the Court expedited implementation of its ruling, allowing Louisiana to move forward quickly with redrawing congressional districts ahead of the midterm elections.

With the decision final, its impact depends on how other states respond—particularly on how district maps are drawn and challenged in the months ahead. Things are heating up.

We’ll be publishing another voting post soon and will continue to track how the decision plays out across states.

State in Focus: Alaska

Why Alaska
Alaska shows how legislative protections don’t always translate to access.

What’s happening
The state has strong legal protections for reproductive rights and has taken steps to expand maternal healthcare services. But at the same time, large parts of the state remain difficult to reach, with limited provider availability and significant travel distances required for care.

Another example falls into the Violence & Safety category. Alaska continues to report elevated rates of sexual assault and domestic violence and has been working recently to improve rural safety. However, challenges related to service delivery and uneven law enforcement in remote areas continue to shape real-life outcomes, especially for Alaska Native women.

Why it matters
Alaska highlights a different kind of gap—where rights may be protected, but access depends on geography, infrastructure, and availability. For many women, that can shape what care actually looks like day to day.

Track What’s Happening in Your State

Our state-by-state tracker helps you see what’s currently in effect—and what may be changing. 

→ Find your state via the See Your State menu or the USA map, both on the home page. 

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