Women’s Equality Day was Monday, Aug. 26, and although this day celebrates equality of women, the state of Utah (and the United States as a whole) are not showing that equality very well.
According to an article published by The Salt Lake Tribune, Utah was voted the worst state for women’s equality. How could this be? Women bring so much knowledge and have such high potential to change the world. Women bring a whole new perspective when it comes to politics, economics, business, etc., to be more women’s equality in all aspects of life.
Although women’s rights have come a long way, there is still a long way to go. There is still a significant gender pay gap in all industries. On average, women make 80 cents for every dollar a man makes.
“Women have the potential to literally change the world.”
Noelle Spencer
In Utah, it’s worse. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, women in Utah make 70 cents for every dollar a man makes, making it the biggest gender pay gap in the U.S.
In addition, women only make up 20 percent of Congress and other government positions. With that being said, more women are running for government offices, but they are not being elected in.
If the U.S. government was more evenly split between men and women, decisions made would reflect more accurately on the wants and needs of both women and men, not just men making decisions that should be made by a woman.
For example, the decisions and laws put into place concerning birth control and abortion are decisions that should be made by women since women are the ones who are directly affected by it.
Government leaders need to proactively support women and encourage women to focus on their careers (if they prefer), rather than being a stay at home mom and focusing on creating a family. Women have the potential to literally change the world.
Related Posts:
As a native of Utah, it is disappointing to call somewhere home that takes women’s equality so lightly. Utah can do better and should do better. The government leaders need to recognize the importance of women’s equality and be willing to change things.
Women’s rights are fundamental human rights and women should be given the same rights and opportunities as men, always. The U.S. and the state of Utah especially has a long way to go.
As students at Dixie State University, we can begin the change of creating more equality by voting women into office, signing petitions for higher pay for women, and encouraging our fellow women to never give up on their dreams and goals, no matter what.