The Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project released a new research and policy brief on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, warning that Utah's current trajectory will require three to four decades of effort to achieve notable progress for women and girls. The initiative, titled A Bolder Way Forward, seeks to address persistent issues including high levels of domestic violence, sexual assault, and a lack of female representation in leadership roles across the state.
Addressing Systemic Inequality
The research highlights a critical need for systemic change, noting that Utah continues to face high levels of child sexual abuse and gender-based discrimination. According to the Utah Women & Leadership Project, while some areas have seen slight improvements, the state remains ranked as the worst in the nation for women's equality. The project's framework aims to move beyond mere metrics to foster an environment where women and girls can pursue educational, professional, and civic opportunities with a sense of belonging.
Dr. Susan R. Madsen, a faculty member at Utah State University, oversees the research-based initiative. The project operates through 18 specific focus areas, or spokes, categorized into five broader themes: education, community engagement, safety and security, health and wellbeing, and the workplace. The initiative emphasizes that lifting up women and girls is essential for the wellbeing of all Utahns, utilizing an abundance mentality rather than a scarcity mindset.
To drive local change, the project encourages Utah's towns, cities, and counties to pass official resolutions supporting the movement. This local government engagement is intended to demonstrate a formal commitment to helping families thrive through community-level action.
Workplace and Leadership Gaps
The initiative's focus on the workplace addresses long-standing gaps in representation. Recent research from the Utah Women & Leadership Project has explored how higher education shapes views of Utah's workplaces and how educational attainment impacts individual and community wellbeing. These studies aim to identify the hidden barriers women face in professional environments, including issues such as leadership development and the impact of diversity and inclusion laws on women in leadership roles.
Workplace challenges remain a central pillar of the project's research. Previous findings have examined how men's behavior in leadership teams can inadvertently stall gender equality and investigated the specific realities and contributions of immigrant women to Utah's economy. The project seeks to move the needle in these professional sectors by identifying specific calls to action for organizations and communities to support women's professional growth.
Safety and Security Concerns
Safety and security remain urgent priorities for the initiative due to the persistent rates of sexual violence and domestic abuse in the state. Research conducted by the project has aimed to bridge gaps in women's health by driving change in sexual violence prevention. These efforts focus on understanding the awareness and knowledge gaps that exist among Utahns regarding sexual assault and domestic violence.
Beyond physical safety, the project's research also addresses the complexities of child safety and family stability. By analyzing data related to child sexual abuse and domestic violence, the initiative aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and community leaders to better protect vulnerable populations and support family wellbeing across the state.
Economic and Time-Use Context
The economic and demographic landscape of Utah is also shifting, impacting family structures and workforce participation. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dating back to 2021-07-15, provides a baseline for understanding time use and economic activity. For instance, 2025 annual averages showed that women spent more time on average per day on household activities (2.38 hours) compared to men (1.58 hours).
In terms of labor, 2025 data indicated that men spent an average of 3.82 hours per day on working and work-related activities, while women averaged 2.84 hours. This disparity in time allocation is a factor in the broader discussion regarding women's economic participation and the need for support systems, such as the Utah Office of Child Care, which works to support working parents by addressing the need for quality childcare.
Future Research Directions
The Utah Women & Leadership Project continues to expand its research scope to include emerging social trends. Recent studies have looked at the impact of declining birth rates in Utah, which are reaching record lows due to changing family trends and rising costs. Additionally, the project has explored the social dynamics of leadership, including the impact of passive-aggressive cultures and the role of male allyship in advancing gender equality.
By integrating these diverse research areas, the project aims to create a comprehensive movement that addresses the intersectionality of gender, race, ethnicity, and community belonging. The ultimate goal is to ensure that all Utahns, regardless of gender or background, have the support necessary to thrive in an evolving social and economic environment.
