Washington, D.C. — Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) implemented sweeping and unlawful cuts across various federal agencies. New analysis by the Center for American Progress of data through May 23, 2025, finds that—under the pretense of reducing waste, fraud, and abuse—DOGE eliminated at least $3 billion in grants that were specific to women’s health and economic security. This total does not include the countless more cuts to grants that affect women even if they are not the primary target group.
The Trump administration’s DOGE cuts are slashing investments to meet the unique health needs of women, provide safety and stability for survivors of domestic or gender-based violence, and expand women’s economic advancement. The devastating impact of these cuts was compounded by President Donald Trump’s executive order released in January targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government, effectively gutting efforts aimed at addressing systemic barriers facing women—particularly women of color.
This new CAP analysis examines how the at least $3 billion in cuts affect women’s health research, social safety net programs for women, and workforce programs that were designed to help invigorate women’s participation in the labor force.
“DOGE has already eliminated billions of dollars from grant programs that would have improved women’s health, supported survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, and helped get more women into the nation’s STEM workforce,” said Kierra B. Jones, senior policy analyst for the Women’s Initiative at CAP and co-author of the analysis. “Gutting funding for these programs is robbing future generations and putting more barriers in the way for women to thrive in our economy and have access to the care they need.”
Read the column: “How the Trump Administration’s DOGE Cuts Are Harming Women” by Kierra B. Jones and Sara Estep
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].