The reversal of years of progress for women’s rights is what many women fear when a new leader has emerged. The “war on women” is an expression used in the United States to describe backward policies, specifically conservative and Republican policies, that restrict women’s rights, such as abortion. Many feminists have used this phrase to denounce far-right policies that reverse women’s progress and their rights to their bodies. Women’s rights in the US have expanded from the early twentieth century to the modern day. Still, many are worried that we are headed in the wrong direction— from attaining the right to vote in 1920 to establishing Roe v. Wade in 1973 and, regressively, in 2022, the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 

The “War on Women” phrase emerged to the surface again as a result of Donald Trump’s election, as many believe his presidency and policies will decimate sexual and reproductive health. As detailed in the potential “Project 2025,” a conservative agenda, the Trump-Vance administration plans to implement policies that destroy bodily and reproductive autonomy. This could mean banning abortion access, whether in the state or nationwide, reinstating the gag rule and domestic gag rule,  undermining birth control guarantees, defunding planned parenthood, and more. Trump’s views on abortion continue to sway in the eyes of the public, stimulating suspicion of what his true intentions are for abortion rights, Project 2025 establishing an even greater skepticism that begs the question— “Are our rights in danger?”. 

Here is what some members of our local and Pacific Coast Girl Up organization have to say: 

One of the Pacific Coast Girl Up Leaders, Joy Zou, answers, ¨I’ve definitely noticed widespread concerns regarding policy on women’s issues, especially concerning reproductive rights, across both my community and the country. Another impact I want to highlight is the ideologies the results of this election approve, give a platform to, and normalize,¨ She explains that these ideologies will harm women,  then touches on the issue of allowing Donald Trump in office in the first place, ¨The highest governmental office will be held by a man who’s been publicly accused by 20+ women of sexual assault and abuse. By deciding these actions weren’t dealbreakers, the country has deemed violence against women as acceptable and empowered these actions everywhere.”Furthermore, Zou elaborates on her concerns, ¨It makes me worried for the safety of women everywhere and those fighting for justice against their abusers.¨ She then concludes her point by emphasizing the lack of focus on protecting women in America, ¨The public, media, and legal system are already unfair towards survivors of sexual assault and dismissive of women’s concerns about their safety, and the election results only send a louder message that American society is willing to put women’s safety aside for their own interests.¨

From widespread concern regarding policy on women´s issues to approving sex-based discriminatory ideology to electing a president who seemingly has no respect for women, Joy Zou touches on several points that concern a variety of women across the nation, only putting women´s safety more at risk than it already is. 

Correspondingly, Alyssa Fernandez, a secretary of the Girl Up Club at Santiago High School, passionately shares her concerns about his potential setbacks for abortion care, “When Future President Trump enters office, he is trying to restrict our abortion laws and our abilities as women to get the help we need. For example, plan B is going to be restricted for women. Plan B, birth control, and abortions are just a few of the many things he’s trying to revoke. It’s true that our abortion laws are set for each state, but his influence on these states is what’s important. He’s allowing the states to restrict our rights as women that we need for health and safety. For example, in Ohio, it will officially be illegal to have an abortion in the state. If you leave the state and return once having an abortion, you will face legal consequences.¨ Furthermore, Fernandez explains the importance of abortion care,  ¨Abortions are sometimes vital to a person’s health. Sometimes, people can die due to the child growing incorrectly inside them or their body can’t handle having a child. Other reasons obviously vary: rape, sickness, not enough financial stability… (our adoption system in America is very poor, so sometimes it’s better not to put a child through so much trauma and abuse).¨ She finalizes her statement by commenting on how women should not have to worry about the right to their own bodies being stripped away,  ¨No matter the reason, we shouldn’t have to worry about our health rights and freedoms when a man can still choose to get a vasectomy or get a condom, but a woman will have to jump through legal hoops to even get something vital for her health.” 

Let´s hear from the staff and past residents of a women´s shelter:

Gardenia Spiegel, a staff worker at the Alexandria House in LA, shares her view on Trump´s election, ¨The election this year forced a moment of truth for me as a Black woman and single mother in America. As much as I knew racism and disparities existed, this moment solidified an intellectual fact with a visceral truth – Black Women Don’t Matter. It feels different to know racism and patriarchy in this physical way. It has brought up a wave of disillusionment…it has also ignited Hope and fueled Resistance. I always say Black women have another layer of survival, and it is this intangible layer that I now tap into. I believe my daughter’s future is bright. I believe we will put a woman in the White House before my time on this planet is up.¨ She closes with an inspiring statement, ¨May we all be fearless to disagree and to continue the conversation anyway.¨

Overall, Gardenia touches on how the election has affected her as a single Black mother of a daughter. Although faced with adversity, she hopes her community can withstand discrimination fearlessly and cultivate a better life for girls in the future. Concurrently with Spiegel´s worries, 9 out of 10 Black women voted for Harris and felt betrayed by the election results. They believe the country has demonstrated indifference to their concerns time and time again. 

Additionally, a past resident and current staff member who is a single Black mother of 3 children answers, ¨ I didn’t like the results because there’s so much going on surrounding him. He seems to have inspired “white America,” the America that overlooks, criticizes, or dislikes anyone other than itself.¨ She begins to describe why Black women are so worried about his election, ¨He has been openly racist, or at the very least, insensitive. This has encouraged racists all over the country to do the same. On top of that, he’s openly disparaged women.¨ She then recalls when Trump proved mistrusting and corrupt, ¨I’ll never forget him saying, ¨When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,´— yet he wants us to believe he didn’t sexually assault that woman in a clothing store dressing room.  Don’t even get me started on us having autonomy over our own bodies when I’m sure he’s absolutely paid for a woman to have an abortion. He has nominated his buddies with no experience for jobs they aren’t qualified for, which makes us all question where this country is heading. I’m upset, yes, and embarrassed even, but at the end of the day, I believe that God is still God. I believe that people will get what they need, whatever that may be. For me, this is par for the course. I’ve seen many undeserving people in office, and our people have seen the same since this country became a country. We’re used to people doing what they want and trying to get other people to go along with it. We’ve always made a way, our own way. We’ve struggled but survived.¨ She then emphasized, ¨The difference between them and now is there are more people who understand this and are willing to work and fight the system. For me, God is still God, He will make things right, and we’ll be okay.¨

Her 25-year-old daughter complied and commented, ¨I felt like we had no voice and no hope¨, highlighting how women are left grappling with their own status in the United States.

Continuing, the single mother of 3 finalizes her statement by highlighting that ¨Guys used to have control over us, and men have resented the fact that women now have complete autonomy. They’re even more upset that we’re running our races alongside them–as equals. They’re lashing out. People WILL see and appreciate who we are. Our race isn’t over. We’ll come out even stronger next time,¨ ending on a powerful note. As women who know the struggle, their fight does not end here.

Concurrently, a single Latina mother of 2, who is also a past resident who works on staff at the Alexandria House, shares her views on Trump´s election, ¨I grew up knowing there were two main political parties, but I’ve never seen the level of hatred and division between them that exists now. It’s heartbreaking to see how people judge each other based on political views when they first meet rather than taking the time to truly understand who the person is. Personally, this has affected me, as my mom stopped talking to me about the outcome of this last election, and it’s painful to think how this division is impacting our children and young adults, who are growing up learning to see others through the same lens of judgment and disconnection.¨ This mother touches on the political polarization that has intensified due to the recent election, emphasizing the importance of not allowing this to create hate and division. In fact, the Pew Research Center and LLYC find that today’s political divide threatens to destroy the social cohesion behind the democracy of America. 

Conclusion

The election of Donald Trump has sparked widespread concerns for the future of women´s rights in the United States. Several women and marginalized groups fear that his policies will reverse years of progress and sequentially threaten necessary protections. From reproductive autonomy to sexual harassment and acts of racism, many people feel betrayed and insecure. However, despite these challenges, activists, survivors, and community leaders emphasize a deep, shared commitment to fighting for women´s rights and well-being. The struggles faced by women as a result of this political shift are a call for action, shaping a safer and more just country for women through resilience, unity, and unrelenting determination. As we look forward, it is clear that the fight is far from over, and women will continue to rise, resist, and demand the respect and justice they deserve.