A Bolder Way Forward
National and statewide studies continue to show that women and girls in Utah are not thriving in critical areas. Year after year, Utah continues to have high levels of domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and gender-based discrimination, while also ranking as the worst state for women’s equality and having low levels of women’s leadership representation in nearly all domains, including politics and business. Although the needle has moved slightly in a few areas, with its current trajectory it will take three or four decades to make notable progress. It is time for Utah to embrace A Bolder Way Forward (BWF). When we lift Utah girls and women, we lift all Utahns!
For a more in-depth overview of the BWF, watch the 15-minute video presentation below and then review this 2-page framework document. The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP), housed in Extension at Utah State University (designated as a 501(c)(3)), is the backbone organization of this movement. More specifically, the BWF operates as an initiative within the UWLP, with Dr. Susan R. Madsen, a faculty member, and her team overseeing and supporting.
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Framework
The primary aim of A Bolder Way Forward is to help more Utah girls, women, and families thrive. Utah women and girls thrive when all aspects of their safety, security, health, and wellbeing are met, allowing them to explore and pursue educational, professional, civic, leadership, and other opportunities according to their interests, and to feel abundant levels of support and a sense of belonging as they do so. We can conceptualize how this vehicle will move up a paved road using the metaphor of a wheel. This includes 18 areas of focus (spokes), which fall into five broader categories (see spoke overview for more details). Each spoke, a key area where change needs to occur, is a movement with a coalition that functions to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. BWF components are illustrated in the graphic below, and individual spoke webpages share additional information. Additionally, although not illustrated on the rim, we envision belonging and allyship integrated across each spoke area. Individuals within specific communities (i.e., 50+ thriving, disabilities, interfaith, LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity) and male allies remain top of mind and integrated into the BWF work.
Partnerships Resources
Components
Spokes
There are 18 BWF areas of focus (spokes), in five categories: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and wellbeing, and workplace.
County Efforts
Leaders or representatives in each county engage individuals and partners to advance the work locally and help girls, women, and families thrive in their communities.
Belonging Teams
Five teams exist to ensure that inclusion, belonging, and differences among women and girls in Utah remain top of mind across all areas of the BWF.
Male Allyship
Male allies can positively impact women's lives by increasing opportunities and support for women, and allyship remains integrated in all 18 spokes.
Data Visualizations
These UWLP dashboards show BWF spoke goals, current metrics, and will track progress toward the intended outcomes within the 7-year movement.
Calls to Action
Based on research, these specific actions that organizations, groups, and communities can take will help move the needle in each of the 18 spoke areas.
Towns, Cities, and Counties
Utah's towns, cities, and counties can pass an official resolution supporting BWF to show their commitment to helping girls, women, and families thrive.
Community Partners
UWLP partners with organizations who share a commitment to strengthen the impact of Utah girls and women and support BWF efforts.
Conclusion
Utah must do better to ensure everyone thrives. Melinda Gates once stated, “If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings.” Our vision is not to lift girls and women at the expense of boys and men—that is the scarcity mentality. Instead, we believe that there is enough for everyone through cooperation and collaboration: the abundance mentality. When we strengthen the impact of Utah girls, women, and families, we can strengthen everyone!