Ethical Alternatives To Nike Women Sneakers

Nike shareholders voted against addressing voters’ rights. So here are 10 brands offering ethically-made sneakers as an alternative to Nike women sneakers.

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With their cool designs and performance materials, Nike has long been a go-to sneaker brand for athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike. They’ve also taken sustainable and ethical initiatives like using recycled materials and collaborating with NGOs to improve work-place standards. However, this past week saw the brand vote against its ethical standards and commitments, sparking an internal and external debate about how committed the brand truly is to uplifting workers or if it’s merely another form of greenwashing.

At Nike’s annual meeting this month, shareholders voted against a proposal introduced by the Domini Impact Equity Fun to enter into binding agreements with supply chain workers to better address human rights issues in high-risk nations. The proposal was also introduced last year urging Nike to pay $2.2 million in allegedly unpaid wages to 4,000 garment workers in Cambodia and Thailand and to evaluate the performance of its supply chain management, including an investigation into forced labor and wage theft issues.

Shareholders voted against the proposal stating that there there are already controls in play to address labor issues. However they are not legally binding. Domini also noted in their proposal that the brand must publish a report on the impact of adopting worker-driven social responsibility (WSR) to create binding agreements on safety standards. Elsewhere it was questioned why the brand failed to join the Pakistan Accord like brands like Adidas and Puma. And, executive compensation, with the CEO earning $29.2 million for fiscal 2024 was also brought into question.

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As a global brand that states “Throughout our global supply chain, we’re advocating for better practices and greater transparency and empowering systems that help everyone excel,” this latest news goes against its mission of responsible sourcing and transparency. With an estimated 118 factories in 8 different countries making Nike shoes at different stages, it’s hard to see how responsible sourcing and production can be achieved if agreements aren’t binding and responsibility isn’t taken when human and wage violations are brought to the attention of the brand.

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With news stories like these, The Wellness Feed doesn’t believe in only bringing to attention the bad and ugly. We also believe in highlighting the positive- and that includes talking about the brands who are doing right. These are brands who are B Corp certified for meeting environmental and social standards. Their partner factories meet the International Labour Organization’s standards for safe workplaces. Other brand partner with factories in regions that have strict policies about wages and labor rights. And, all of these brands offer appealing styles that have the same performance and comfort you’re used to from bigger global brands.

Looking for ethical alternatives to Nike womens sneakers? Read about the brands and click the links to learn more about their factories and production standards. Happy shopping!