Global Lessons in Resistance: Defending DEI in a New Era

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is being forced underground in the United States. DEI advocates around the world have a lot to teach us about staying resilient and working for social change.

By Dr Rohini Anand and Laura Shipler Chico

In his first days in office, the Trump administration issued orders that not only eliminated DEI programming within the federal government, but also threatened to “investigate, eliminate and penalize illegal DEI preferences” at private companies and universities that use federal funds.  The National Endowment for the Arts will no longer fund DEI, instead prioritizing arts programs that celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.  Federal health websites have been scrubbed of reference to LGBTQ+ health, gender, and sexually transmitted diseases.  

Private organisations who haven’t yet directly been hit by these extreme measures are scrambling to follow suit.   According to Forbes, companies like Citigroup, Pepsi, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Google, and more have watered down their language, cut diversity hiring targets, renamed their DEI departments, abandoned diversity supplier quotas or scrubbed their own websites for references to DEI.

Fortunately, there are organizations that recognize that DEI is critical not only in the current context (where employees and customers are asking for a commitment), but also for the future.

Some companies like Apple, Delta, Costco, Deutsche Bank, and the NFL are publicly standing by their DEI principles, many saying that DEI is integral to their business success.  Others are quietly looking for ways to protect their work, or camouflage it by changing the language used or folding DEI into other workstreams.   Federal workers have been threatened with repercussions if they do not report on colleagues conducting DEI activity under a different name. Increasingly, people are using new encrypted messaging platforms and looking over their shoulders when discussing DEI in public. A climate of fear is stirring.

While DEI has always faced resistance, this particular brand of backlash is new in the United States.  Though the US has had its fair share of ugly history, it has never dealt with authoritarianism.

DEI work is needed now more than it ever has been before.  If not, we are in danger of our diverse, multifaceted country slipping back to a pre-Civil Rights era, or worse.  And this new, political landscape requires us to develop new strategies to hold strong.

We have a lot to learn from our global allies around the world – those who have been working for LGBTQ rights in Uganda and Singapore, for women’s rights in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, and more.  In extremely oppressive regimes, people still find ways to do the work.

When the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, women’s spaces were decimated – they were banned from secondary schools, workplaces, and even some parks. Women who protested were arrested, detained and threatened with deportation.  Nevertheless, activist groups continue to work undercover to build up women’s civic and economic power.  In some areas of Afghanistan, where it is illegal to convene women, organisations have built trust with community members and sympathetic local authorities to offer livelihood training.  Women’s self-help groups use income generation activities to create rare opportunities to share ideas, talk about their issues safely, and solve conflict in their communities.  Livelihood activities provide a guise under which women’s rights and peacebuilding activities can take place – where those who have been marginalised can contribute positively to community change.

LGBTQ activists in Singapore used “pragmatic resistance”, strategically adapting their tactics in extremely limited civic space over many years of criminalization of homosexuality. Constantly seeking that sweet spot between “pushing the boundaries and toeing the line”, gay activists usually avoided direct confrontation – instead prioritising the survival of the movement.  For example, when public speaking and performances at Hong Lim Park’s Speakers Corner were exempted from normal protest restrictions  “as part of the state’s effort to contain dissent,”  gay activists decided to capitalize on this small opening to begin the Pink Dot Festival – a symbol that soon would grow to have international resonance.  Organizers did not use the platform to advocate for gay rights or a change in the law.  They did not try to push outside of the boundaries of the allowed physical space they were offered. In this way, they avoided confrontation, worked within the limits of the law and so survived – growing from 2,500 people in 2009 to 15,000 in 2012. In 2022, Singapore repealed the criminalization of sex between men.

In societies where open protest is still permitted, more confrontational approaches can have success.  France has learned from its experience in resisting Nazism and the public is now quick to express dissent, practically making strikes a national sport. In South Korea, parliamentarians scaled walls and pushed past police in order to vote against implementing martial law.  These times may require us to find our economic power and civic voice. We still have government representatives that we can support to speak out in protection of civil rights.

We have many tools available to us.  We are creative, passionate, committed and connected with one another.  We have models of resistance and social change around the world to look to.  Whether we camouflage our work, work within the boundaries to push them, or outright protest, we must keep our eye on what will be the most effective.  We must be willing to continuously adapt, take risks, and be smart.

This is our time.  This is what all the work we have done for decades has prepared us for.  And we are ready.

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The Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Seminar

A Masterclass for Global DEI Leaders with Dr. Rohini Anand

JUNE 18-20, 2025

In a time when DEI professionals face increasing uncertainty due to global populist movements and recent executive orders rolling back decades of progress in the US, it’s more critical than ever to equip ourselves with the tools to advocate for justice and inclusion. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities to lead with courage and resilience.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the Global DEI Seminar, returning this June 18, 19, and 20, 2025. This small-group, highly interactive seminar is designed to empower DEI professionals to navigate these turbulent times with clarity, strategy, and strength.

What You’ll Gain:

• An understanding  of the current global DEI landscape and how to navigate it 

• A global DEI strategy and practical workplan tailored to your organization’s needs, including strategies to address today’s shifting legal and social landscapes.

• A flexible framework to advance equity while honoring the nuances of local cultures, laws, and histories.

• Leadership skills to secure executive and stakeholder buy-in, even amidst resistance.

• Tools to measure and demonstrate impact, reinforcing the business case for DEI.

• A network of global professionals to share ideas, strategies, and support—because none of us can do this alone.

💬 From Past Participants:

“This seminar reaffirmed my passion for DEI work and provided a unique platform to share my perspectives with global colleagues.” — Blanca Villela, DEI Consultant

“Rohini ensured we walked away with actionable knowledge to apply immediately in our own context.” — Ann Varghese, Senior DEI Partner, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

📅 Save the Dates: June 18-20

In times of adversity, education and collaboration are our greatest tools. Together, we can develop strategies to overcome setbacks and continue driving meaningful change.

Join us and rise to the challenge. Let’s stand firm, reaffirm our commitment to equity, and lead the way forward.

Learn more and sign up here.