National and statewide studies show that women and girls in Utah are not thriving in critical areas. The state continues to face high levels of domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and gender-based discrimination.
Utah currently ranks as the worst state for women's equality. Research shows low levels of women's leadership representation across nearly all domains, including business and politics.
While some areas have shown slight movement, current trajectories suggest it will take three to four decades to achieve notable progress. This has led to a call for Utah to embrace A Bolder Way Forward (BWF).
Data dashboards are being utilized to show progress toward goals and track changes over time. These efforts focus on specific topic areas known as spokes, which aim to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
The initiative emphasizes male allyship, defined as men intentionally working to promote the advancement and well-being of women and girls. While Utah men historically championed women's suffrage and education in the late 1800s and early 1900s, research from UWLP indicates significant gaps remain between men's perceptions of support and the lived experiences of women.
Currently, fewer Utah women than men feel they have opportunities for advancement or supportive organizational cultures. Proponents suggest that mentorship and family-friendly policies benefit all residents and expand opportunities across education, careers, and civic life.
