UWEP partners with 2-1-1

In an effort to increase accessibility of education resources in Utah, particularly for women, UWEP has chosen to partner with 2-1-1 Information and Referral, a free program associated with Utah Food Bank Services.

Those who use 2-1-1 are able to access an abundance of information, yet they were previously lacking when it came to education resources. This new transition will simplify the search for students, allowing them to utilize a consolidated database to answer the questions they have.

For more information about 2-1-1, visit www.211ut.org. For further details about the UWEP/2-2-1 integration, click on the headline above to read related press.

The value of education exceeds mere occupational advantages

In a recent KSL article, Director of the Utah Women and Education Project Susan Madsen expresses concern at the tendency of Utah women to value education for occupational pursuits only, rather than realizing the overall advantages of higher education.

While a decline in female graduation rates will inevitably hurt Utah's economy, Madsen is simply unsettled by the seeming trivialization of higher education in the minds of Utah women. Whether the mindset of viewing education as insignificant stems from parents, teachers, counselors, spiritual leaders, the women themselves, or more likely a combination of influences, this is a mindset that calls for evaluation and intervention.

The objective of the UWEP is to study the reasoning behind Utah women not attending or opting out of universities before they can receive a diploma. In so doing, it aims to shed light on the many influences affecting the educational pursuits of young women, and therein provide a foundation from which participating parties can better inform and encourage women to obtain degrees.

To read the article, click on the headline of this post.

The global role of women

NPR host Neal Conan recently interviewed the former President of Ireland Ms. Mary Robinson, Managing Director of the World Bank Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and New York Times Columnist and Author Mr. Nicholas Kristof regarding the changing role of women throughout the world.

Each of these individuals are participating in projects to advance women's role and welfare on a global scale.

Robinson began the organization "Realizing Rights, the ethical globalization initiative" which is working to attain human rights for all through a "rounded approach that also looks at discrimination, [and] lack of equality," Robinson said in the interview.

One situation from which Robinson derived hope for future advancements was when the president of Sierra Leone declared "free medical care, free health care for pregnant women, for lactating mothers and for children under five."

Okonjo-Iweala and her associates are collecting evidence from developing nations regarding gender productivity and the resulting impact on economies. She explained an agricultural study carried on in Kenya, during which men and women were given the same access to resources and information, yet women proved 40 percent more productive than men.

"So the bottom line is there are 205 million girls in the world, adolescent girls, and 72 million of them are out of school. If we invest in them, with this kind of figures that I've given you, we are really going to have a tremendous economic impact on the world in poor countries," Okonjo-Iweala said in the interview.

While living in China, Kristof noticed many girls leaving school because they could not afford the associated fees. After writing a column regarding this issue for the New York Times, funding poured in from all kinds of sources and it revolutionized the educational system in that area, where girls are now allowed to stay in school as long as they keep up their grades.

"Clearly all kinds of injustices happen to women around the world, but I think that what has really gained traction is the sense that, you know, women and girls aren't the problem, they are the solution," Kristof said in the interview.

The entire interview is an inspiring read, so click on the above headline to access it in its entirety if you are interested in reading more.