 Hello, July!
The summer has been a busy time for the Columbus Women’s Commission. July 3rd marked the end of the 100 Days. 100 Adopters. 100% Committed. Columbus Commitment campaign. Thanks to the hard work of the Commissioners, the CWC was able to welcome 103 new adopters dedicated to closing the pay gap in Columbus.
Please join us in welcoming our new adopters! Of course, the work does not stop here. The Columbus Women’s Commission remains focused on fighting for the women in our city. Read on to learn more about events going on in Columbus and greater Ohio as well as important policy updates on women’s issues.
 As of July 3, The Columbus Women’s Commission’s 100 days. 100 Adopters. 100% Committed campaign has concluded. Please join us in welcoming the 103 companies that have committed to our mission of making Columbus a place for women to thrive!
 The Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein has stated that he will not prosecute those seeking abortions and those providing abortions.
On July 22, members of Columbus City Council announced a three-part legislation package aimed at protecting reproductive health care in the city. First, $1,000,000.00 will go to reproductive health organizations such as the Ohio Women’s Alliance in order to help women get the care they need. Second, tCouncil will deprioritize the enforcement of abortion laws. Third, the Council will also examine pregnancy crisis centers and work to mitigate their harm.
Click here to read more on City Attorney Zach Klein’s statement.
Click here to watch the Council’s press conference.
As time goes on, more and more employers are announcing their plans surrounding the Dobbs decision and what it means for their employees. Businesses that are looking to provide access to abortion care, and other types of reproductive healthcare, have a variety of options before them. An article by NPR details the three options: direct reimbursement, coverage through a company’s healthcare plan, or working with an outside provider. For some, this can be a recruiting advantage, but others are worried taking a stance will drive customers away or subject them to criminal charges depending on the state.
Click here to learn more.
The Columbus Metropolitan Club hosted a livestream on the possible end of abortion in Ohio. Featured guests were Professor Daniel T. Kobil from Capital Law School, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, and Michael Gonidakis, the President of Ohio Right to Life. USA Today reporter Jessie Balmert hosted.
Click here to watch the stream.
July Highlights
In a recent study done by the National Partnership for Women & Families, it was found that in the 26 states contemplating abortion bans or that have bans in place, including Ohio, the most vulnerable communities are women of color. The partnership reported that 57.6% of Native American women in the U.S. live in one of these states, as do 56.7% of Black women. Furthermore, within these 26 states, 35.2% of their female population is economically insecure, 7.8% have a disability, and 44% are mothers already.
Ohio’s ban on abortions after a heartbeat is detected at around six weeks of fetal development will have severe consequences for the 2.5 million women across the state. The report noted that 44% of the state’s adult female residents are mothers, 34% are financially insecure and 9% have a diagnosed disability. By restricting abortion access to a shortened timeframe when many women don’t realize they are pregnant, many women, particularly women of color and those who are financially struggling, will be forced to carry the pregnancy. This jeopardizes the wellbeing of these women and their families and has long-term consequences for earning potential and gender equity going forward.
The study concludes with a powerful statement: “We must all come together to do everything we can now and in the future to ensure everyone has access to abortion care. And we must fight to win essential freedoms and bodily autonomy for all people.”
Click here to read the article and additional results of the study.
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