Wal-Mart prepares to launch new “Women-friendly” programs

Wal-Mart, the widely popular warehouse store has prepared to initiate a new program with the goal of supporting women-owned businesses and workers.

A Wal-Mart store

They have launched this program in order to counter possible claims of sex discrimination after having dealt with a class-action suited filed by female employees for unfair treatment this past summer. The company has stated that it plans to carry $20 billion in women-owned businesses products over the next 5 years. Currently, Wal-Mart only spends $2.5 billion, but they hope to double this figure by 2016.

This new program will help many women improve the quality of their lives as well as financially. With the resources Wal-Mart provides, these women will be properly educated and greatly benefit from this initiative.  Though the company will need to almost double spending in this area, this resolves their ethical dilemma of gender inequality. Had the company not chosen to invest in this costly program, then their company name would have been tarnished for mistreating their female employees. Wal-Mart may have also faced other lawsuits if they had not solved this ethical dilemma.