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Reproductive Rights Corporate Index (draft)

Abortion remains legal or protected in less than half of the states (New York Times). Millions are denied access to safe and legal abortions across the country. This devastating aftermath of Roe v. Wade overturned seems sudden, but it has been fueled and funded by American corporations whose political spending went unscrutinized for years.

Nine states passed anti-abortion laws in 2019 alone. Most of the companies that contributed funds to the extremist politicians and organizations that helped pass these oppressive laws continue to donate to them even now. In response to this issue, Progressive Shopper, Rhia Ventures, UltraViolet, Planned Parenthood, Equity Forward have established the Reproductive Rights Corporate Index.

This Index regularly tracks corporations’ donations to anti-abortion lawmakers and organizations from all levels of government as well as any abortion care policies they have adopted to support the reproductive freedom of their employees. It intends to inform investors, customers, and citizens of the stance that their companies and brands have taken on reproductive rights by exposing corporate contributions and policies related to reproductive rights. Its aim is to lead these stakeholders to re-assess their investment and shopping decisions by praising responsible corporations while shaming irresponsible ones. Sign UltraViolet’s petition to urge companies to stop supporting abortion bans!

35

 days since Roe v. Wade was overturned

50

 companies yet to halt donations to anti-abortion lawmakers and organizations

43

companies pledging to cover travel expenses and give paid time off to employees, but still making donations that undermine these efforts

111

companies that pledged to aid employees in need, and also halted donations or have not donated to anti-abortion lawmakers and organizations


Methodology

We identify and score major national and multinational companies based on their present and historical stance on reproductive rights. For each company, we consider the following criteria in regards to their actions supporting or opposing reproductive freedom to classify them into three categories:

Red

These companies have failed to take any sort of meaningful action following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. They continue to donate to lawmakers from all levels of government and organizations working to ban abortion.

  • Whitewashing: Public statement of solidarity with support for reproductive freedom not followed up by any aid to affected employees or halt to donations

Yellow

These companies have taken some action, but could do better.

  • Statement: Public statement condemning the reversal of Roe v. Wade
  • Relief: Efforts to take on the financial burden of employees who are denied reasonable access to abortion clinics (e.g. covering abortion-related travel costs, providing paid time off)
  • Hypocrisy: No halt to donations in support of lawmakers and organizations working to ban abortion

Green

These companies have committed to supporting reproductive freedom in both corporate donations and policies.

  • Relief: Public statement aligns with actions taken to support employees
  • Divestment: Suspension of donations to lawmakers and organizations working to ban abortion, and / or redirecting these donations to pro-choice organizations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. What is the goal of the Reproductive Rights Corporate Index?
    Progressive Shopper aims to hold corporations accountable for their donations and to expose their roles in the current crisis. When everyday consumers are kept in the dark about these corporate decisions, the private sector remains indifferent to our interests and its power runs unchecked. By monitoring corporations and adjusting where we spend, we give corporate America an incentive to stop contributing to the anti-choice agenda.

    The Reproductive Rights Corporate Index tracks corporations’ stance vis-à-vis the dismantling of reproductive freedom in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade’s reversal. It intends to inform investors, customers, and citizens about whether and how their companies / brands have responded to the ongoing crisis and contributed funds to the issue. Its aim is to lead these stakeholders to re-assess their investment and shopping decisions by boosting responsible corporations while shaming irresponsible ones.

  2. What does it take to shift from Yellow to Green?
    A public statement guaranteeing that the company will halt donations to lawmakers and organizations that are anti-abortion (e.g. the Republican Governors Association, Republican Attorneys General Association, National Republican Senatorial Committee, Republican State Leadership Committee, etc.), supported by actions that match this declaration.

  3. How often is the Index updated?
    The index is constantly updated with the latest information about the private sector’s response to the reversal of Roe. v Wade. If you have any questions, suggestions, or contributions, please reach out to mark@progressiveshopper.com

  4. How to know the date of suspension / withdrawal or any other given company’s decision?
    It can be inferred from the date of publication of the source indicated, be it media or company’s statement.

  5. Are there any other groups working on this topic?
    Yes. Refer to the Defend Choice and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Other ways to help

Curious about other ways to take action? Here’s a list of organizations directly taking action on reproductive rights that you can support.

Press

For media inquiries please contact: Mark Hanis (mark@progressivesopper.com)