The National Women’s Law Center fights for gender justice—in the courts, in public policy, and in our society.
7 cross-cutting policy agendas and 17 policy briefs for advancing gender justice in the states
Released July 2026
States are on the frontlines of the federal assault on democracy, federalism, and women, children, LGBTQIA+ people, and immigrant communities. But state leaders will not be bullied. Nor are they giving up on gender justice.
This educational Playbook breaks down many of the major threats to gender justice and outlines the policy and regulatory solutions that state policymakers can—and are—enacting to protect their communities, mitigate harm, fill gaps left by the rollback of federal protections, and show us the way forward to a world where every person of every gender can thrive.
Because we do not live single issue lives, in addition to issue-specific Policy Briefs, this Playbook includes seven different Policy Agendas that weave together a set of interconnected policies that are often siloed.
As always, the National Women’s Law Center’s policy and communications experts are here to support you in crafting legislation, talking points, fact sheets, and state-specific policy research and data and to connect you with other advocates, legislators, and experts. Email [email protected].
State Policy Agendas
Make Life Affordable for All of Us Agenda
Make Life Affordable for All of Us
An agenda with measures to lower the cost of living by raising the minimum wage and increasing access to affordable child care, health care, housing, food assistance, refundable tax credits, and other economic security programs.
Ensure All People Can Access the Health Care They Need Agenda
Ensure All People Can Access the Health Care They Need
An agenda with measures to protect and expand access to comprehensive, affordable health care, including abortion, contraception, gender-affirming care, fertility care, Medicaid, and maternal health.
Protect The Civil Rights Values of Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workplaces Agenda
Protect The Civil Rights Values of Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Workplaces
An agenda with measures to advance workplace equity by strengthening civil rights laws and enforcement, supporting inclusive workplaces, increasing transparency, and supporting working caregivers.
Advance LGBTQIA+ Equality and Inclusion Agenda
Advance LGBTQIA+ Equality and Inclusion
An agenda with measures to protect LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination, ensure access to affirming health care, and foster safe and inclusive schools, workplaces, and communities.
Support and Protect Caregivers Agenda
Support and Protect Caregivers
An agenda with measures to strengthen supports for caregivers, including pregnant and parenting students, through affordable child care, refundable tax credits, paid leave, fair work schedules, workplace and school protections; and raising revenue to support investments in women and families.
Protect Student Safety and Access to Education Agenda
Protect Student Safety and Access to Education
An agenda with measures to ensure safe and inclusive schools by preventing harassment and discrimination, supporting pregnant and parenting students, expanding access to sexual health information, and promoting affirming curricula.
Stop Sex Harassment and Support Survivors Agenda
Stop Sex Harassment and Support Survivors
An agenda with measures to address sex harassment in schools, workplaces, and health care and strengthen protections for survivors.
State Policy Briefs
Resource Collection
State Policy Briefs
Seventeen state policy briefs that lay out the basic elements of a specific gender justice policy area and talking points and data in support of that policy.