ASBN’s Statement on the Supreme Court’s Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
Washington, DC — Today marks a dark day in American history.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the recent decision made in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is an end to the common-sense human right to abortion and will deprive millions of Americans of the fundamental, constitutional right to oversee their own reproductive health — ending nearly 50 years of federal abortion rights.
The American Sustainable Business Network and its members stand in continued support of unrestricted abortion access for all. As we engage in public policy to create a more just and inclusive economy, ASBN is highly sensitive to the systemic inequities in American society and is committed to hold policy makers accountable to the diverse communities they serve.
The right to unrestricted healthcare options, including
reproductive healthcare is fundamental to a healthy, vibrant, and
inclusive economy. There is overwhelming support and data
pointing to the direct correlation between healthy and free
people and a
healthy and strong economy.
As this ruling comes to us, we are convinced that the Supreme
Court is anti-business, as stated in our recent op-ed in Impact
Entrepreneur. Businesses rely on a healthy and competitive labor
market, and are best served when workers have access to
fundamental human rights, including the right to make choices
about their reproductive health with their doctor’s medical
support.
This same workforce expects and deserves business leaders who take bold action in support of their basic human rights, especially women who have been systematically removed from the workforce during the pandemic and now will be more directly impacted – including wage-earners, part-time workers, and those that do not have the flexibility of access to healthcare.
ASBN is urging action by business leaders upon hearing this regressive position from the Supreme Court and stands with all the businesses, consumers, workers, and communities, especially those that have already been historically marginalized from healthcare access, who are impacted by this fruitless and economically ignorant decision.
The protection of reproductive rights is a shared responsibility – in which businesses, faith communities, community leaders, and our elected officials play a significant role – but only through systemic change will our nation begin to address the historic injustices across communities that have long been under-valued and under-cared for in this country.
ASBN will continue to push for critical solutions to these
problems that have been created by the Supreme Court. As we write
our statement, we anticipate roughly half of the states in the
U.S. to ban abortion outright. We will be working with our state
groups and regional members to ensure we support any meaningful
policy solutions that are introduced at state and local
levels
to solve for this injustice.
If you would like to be involved in any of our activities, please contact Carolyn Pincus at cpincus@asbnetwork.org. We also support all of our members and partners who have taken steps to ensure reproductive healthcare access is made available to their employees. Please find a recent webinar here with our members who have laid out resources and actions for business to take during these times. We strongly believe the fight for a strong and healthy economy begins with a strong and healthy workforce. ASBN will continue to build a business movement to fight for racial, economic, and gender justice.
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About ASBN
American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) is a movement
builder in partnership with the business and investor community.
ASBN develops and advocates solutions for policymakers, business
leaders, and investors that support an equitable, regenerative,
and just economy that benefits all—people and planet. As a
multi-issue, membership organization advocating on behalf of
every business sector, size, and geography, ASBN and its
association members collectively represent
over 250,000 businesses across our networks.
ASBN was founded through the merger of the American Sustainable Business Council and Social Venture Circle.