A European company recently blocked U.S. staff from joining an online leadership workshop for women, fearing backlash from Donald Trump's administration. This reflects a broader "Trump effect" on global diversity policies. In Australia, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) proposed freezing gender targets for female board directors and removing executive-level goals. Philip Lowe, former central bank governor, framed the changes as "evolution, not redesign." Critics see it as regressive.

Investor John Wylie of Tanarra Capital pushed for eliminating diversity prescriptions entirely, favoring "cognitive diversity." The ASX retained a 30% female board target, down from a proposed 40%. Meanwhile, data from the U.S. shows first-year female director appointments fell from 45% in 2021 to 28.4% last year. As regulatory pressure eases, concerns grow that progress on gender equality, pay gaps, and inclusive workplaces may stall.

UCL professor Raina Brands warns that without explicit minority-focused policies, underrepresented groups risk being overlooked.