About 20 years ago, I caught the bug of policy work and realized the impact of when we make change at the legislature. We're truly making population-based change. Having the YWCA is a game-changer for women and children in our state.

Teresa

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.

Hear From Our Director of Public Policy

YWCA Utah’s 2023 Policy Priority Areas

On The Blog

The Dangers of Strangulation: New Protocol Will Help Save Lives

Monday, June 3, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 3, 2019 Media Contact: Sergeant Brandon Shearer 801.799.3352 or brandon.shearer@slcgov.com Media Contact: Amberlie Phillips 801-537-8614 or aphillips@ywcautah.org The Dangers of Strangulation New Protocol Will Help Save Lives Salt Lake City, UT: Each year, approximately 80 Utah children are present at the murder or attempted murder of their mothers and… Continue Reading The Dangers of Strangulation: New Protocol Will Help Save Lives

Heather Dopp Mom Congress Maternal Mental Health Utah

Heather’s Maternal Mental Health Advocacy Story

Friday, May 24, 2019

By YWCA Utah Director of Public Policy Erin Jemison Heather Dopp’s story helped secure funding from the Utah Legislature for the first-ever state investment in maternal mental health services. Heather’s returned from Washington, D.C.’s Mom Congress, an event bringing Moms and those who support them from across the country to talk to federal policymakers… Continue Reading Heather’s Maternal Mental Health Advocacy Story

Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future. YWCA t-shirt

National Voter Registration Day + Policy Update

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Future. Voting is one way to live the YWCA mission to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Utah is part of the national YWCA campaign to register 10,000 people for the 2018 elections. Want to help? Register to vote! Get your friends… Continue Reading National Voter Registration Day + Policy Update

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.

2023 Policy Priority Bill Tracker

Child Care

Advocate for policies that increase access to quality and affordable child care, and that provide a living wage for child care workers.

Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault

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.

Housing

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.

Mental Health

Advocate for policies that address maternal mental health and increase access to quality and affordable mental health services for women, children, and families.

Racial & Gender Equity

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.

Reproductive Health

Advocate for policies that eliminate disparities in outcomes and promote reproductive justice for women, femmes, non-binary, and persons of color.

Other Related Bills & Appropriations

Learn more and advocate for policies that benefit all Utah women and girls.

YWCA Utah Standards for Policy Advocacy

YWCA Utah follows these eight principles when advocating for policy that affects women, girls, and families in Utah.

Reach Out and Take Action

You can take action to help women and girls in Utah by contacting your local representatives on the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

2022 Legislative Recap Event Video

On March 31, we held our 2022 Legislative Recap event and heard from bipartisan representatives on bills passed and others in need of support.