YWCA Utah is a leading voice for advocacy and empowerment. Our public policy work recognizes the need to make systemic changes to improve the lives of all marginalized people. Our public policy agenda centers racial and gender equity in affordable housing, childcare, domestic and sexual violence, mental health, and reproductive justice.
The Well-Being of Women in Utah in 2019 Fact Sheet presented at the second annual Utah Women’s Policy Conference on August 15, 2019, follows up on last year’s report and the YWCA’s 2014 briefing, also published in conjunction with Institute for Women’s Policy Research in Washington, DC.
It is now easier for survivors of domestic violence in Utah to be released from their rental agreements so they can flee abuse and seek safety. YWCA Utah worked in collaboration with several organizations and Rep. Marsha Judkins to improve Utah’s domestic violence lease termination law1 . HB 314 Remedies for Victims of Domestic Violence… Continue Reading HB314: A Legislative Win for Domestic Violence Survivors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Apirl 2023 Community Engagement Exchange Program Participants from Sierra Leone & Hungary Conducting Civil Society Practicum with YWCA Utah Adama Finda Borway & Júlia Bakó are partnering with YWCA Utah through the U.S. State Department’s Community Engagement Exchange Program. For twelve weeks, Adama & Júlia, are emerging international young leaders,… Continue Reading Community Engagement Exchange Program Participants from Sierra Leone & Hungary Conduct Civil Society Practicum with YWCA Utah
On April 11, 2023, YWCA Utah hosted Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Deidre Henderson for a ceremonial bill signing of laws that support families and children. Our CEO Liz Owens welcomed legislators, state leaders, and community partners to the campus for the event. It was an honor to participate in the ceremony… Continue Reading 11 Bills Related to Survivors Signed on YWCA Utah’s Campus
Click the hyperlinks within the bill tracker below to learn more about bills on our policy priorities, our process of tracking them, and the current status of each.
Advocate for policies that increase access to quality and affordable child care, and that provide a living wage for child care workers.
Advocate for policies that increase the safety and empowerment for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, increase funding for services, address the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit, as well as strengthen education and prevention services.
Advocate for policies that remove barriers and increase access to affordable housing for women and their families, including for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Advocate for policies that address maternal mental health and increase access to quality and affordable mental health services for women, children, and families.
Advocate for and analyze policies to ensure they promote racial and gender equity and advance the empowerment and economic advancement of women, femmes, non-binary, and persons of color including advocating for a living wage.
Advocate for policies that eliminate disparities in outcomes and promote reproductive justice for women, femmes, non-binary, and persons of color.
