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Gucci to protect the reproductive rights of its US employees

As the future of reproductive rights grows ever more uncertain in America, Gucci has stepped up to ensure its employees will continue to have access to the care they need.

Earlier this month, a Supreme Court document alluding to the abolition of the Roe v Wade bill was leaked to the public.

For almost fifty years, Roe v Wade has ensured that women in America have had a right to abortion without interference from the government. However, the leaked document showed that nation’s most powerful judges are largely in favour of overturning it.

If and when the Supreme Court decision is made, abortion will become punishable by law in at least 20 states. However, comprehensive data collected by the WHO has proven that the act of criminalising abortions does not automatically prevent women from seeking them out.

Rather, making abortions illegal prevents women from being able to receive them safely and hygienically which can lead to serious illness or even death. You can read more about the ongoing debate over Roe v Wade and its potential fallout here.

In the midst of this great tension, Italian fashion house Gucci has provided us with a glimmer of positivity. It issued a statement expressing solidarity with women in America, saying: ‘access to reproductive health care is a fundamental human right’ and has also promised to protect its own employees.

Putting its money where its mouth is, Gucci has promised to offer travel reimbursement for any US employee who needs access to healthcare not provided in their home state, effective immediately.

This commitment will be made possible by the brand’s non-profit foundation called Chime for Change.

The organisation was launched in a 2013 partnership with Beyoncé and Salma Hayek and set out to ‘inspire participation in a collective community, bringing people together across borders, and generations to unite in the fight for gender equality.’

Chime for Change has already raised $19m for gender equity projects around the world. It works closely with 182 non-profits and grassroots organisations in 89 countries and has already touched the lives of more than 630,000 women and girls.

Going forward, Chime for Change will also seek to support ‘partner organisations that enable access to reproductive health and protect human rights, especially for the most vulnerable.’

Good on Gucci, am I right?

The Italian brand is not alone in sticking up for women’s rights during the Roe v Wade debacle. Other brands such as Levi’s, Billie, Mother Denim, and Mejuri have stated that they stand in solidarity with American women’s reproductive rights.

It’s pretty insane that some companies are displaying signs of having stronger moral compasses than entire governments are these days.

Then again, a growing mistrust for those in power probably finds most young people feeling outraged but unsurprised that women’s bodies being policed in the 21st century is even up for debate.

If brands taking responsibility to protect their workers is what it will take to ensure the health, safety, and freedom of women in America – let’s be glad an internationally recognised brand like Gucci is stepping up to the plate.

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