The challenges women face in the workplace regarding reproductive healthcare are becoming increasingly complex and politicized. Global fertility rates are declining, and many women struggle with fertility issues while balancing career and family aspirations. Companies are responding by offering fertility benefits to attract and retain talent, but government policies—especially in the U.S.—are shifting. The overturning of federal abortion protections and restrictions on IVF signal a broader rollback of reproductive rights, with potential global repercussions. The closure of USAID under Trump has also harmed reproductive healthcare access in the Global South.
While some organizations offer reproductive healthcare benefits, these are often shaped by corporate interests rather than individual rights. Trump’s Executive Orders rendering DEI initiatives in both Federal and Public/Private sector organizations poses a significant risk for organizations who may be providing fertility benefits as part of its policy framework aimed at increasing the number of females in leadership positions, something that few academic journals appear willing to address. While there is much we know/understand about fertility supports in the Global North, research on the lived experiences of women navigating fertility and workplace challenges remains limited in the Global South. This special issue calls for interdisciplinary research on workplace fertility supports, the impact of restrictive policies, and the role of organizations, governments, and social structures in shaping reproductive healthcare access. Topics of interest include the experiences of LGBTQ+ employees, military personnel, and migrant women, as well as the influence of political and corporate agendas on reproductive rights.
Contact details:
Dr Clíodhna MacKenzie
School of Business, University College Cork