Decision by Wal-Mart to Stock EC "Long Overdue"

For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906

Decision by Wal-Mart to Stock Emergency Contraception "Long Overdue"

Announcement is a "step in the right direction," says NOW President Kim Gandy

Spurred on by a lawsuit in Massachusetts, national retail chain Wal-Mart announced Friday that it has decided to stock emergency contraception (EC) in all of its pharmacies, acquiescing to pressure from the National Organization for Women and other women's rights groups.

"The decision to finally stock the morning-after pill is long overdue," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "Wal-Mart stocked it in the Massachusetts stores only after being forced to do so by the state pharmacy board, and had reason to expect similar pressure in other states. This was not a completely benevolent decision, but it was the right one."

On Feb. 1, three women filed a lawsuit against the national chain for not dispensing emergency contraception (also known as Plan B) in Massachusetts. Before the lawsuit even reached court, the state agency ruled that Wal-Mart was required by law to stock and sell emergency contraception in Massachusetts.

NOW named Wal-Mart a "Merchant of Shame" nearly four years ago, pointing to the retail giant's long list of alleged workplace abuses, including sex and race discrimination in pay, promotion and compensation, and its refusal to stock emergency contraception.

NOW chapters regularly picket the retail giant, demanding changes in its anti-women policies.

"It's a step in the right direction," Gandy said. "But Wal-Mart has a long way to go before it has policies that value people over the bottom line, such as paying its employees a living wage and providing healthcare benefits."