VCs and founders alike say investors should fold reproductive rights into ESG standards

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Historically, U.S. private market investors who adopted environmental, social, and corporate governance frameworks did so to evaluate a potential company or investment on how it approached areas like diversity.

As conservative legislation sweeps the nation, some VC investors and founders believe the social definition of ESG investing should be expanded to include human rights issues.

Out of 2,900 VC firms worldwide, only a few dozen have made a public commitment to ESG investing. As consumer pressure increases, that may change.

As states look to restrict access to abortion and contraception further, there is a pressing issue to consider. Adding reproductive health to the definition of social investing makes the topic even more urgent.