According to Whitley, there has been enough progress for Western women because they are better off than women in China and Afghanistan and that men also have challenges of their own, albeit none listed had anything to do with actions of females towards males (violent crime, suicide, killed at work, struck by lightning, etc.). Wild comparisons do not hide the fact that Utah is rated 37th out of 50 states for gender equality and 50th in “friendliness toward gender equality.”

WalletHub rates the status of Utah women in the top 10 in physical activity, good or better health, and low rates of obesity but “worst” in suicide and depression rates, prevalence of rape victimization among females, preventive health care and uninsured rates. Utah rates high in women’s job security, economic clout of women-owned firms and low poverty but “worst” in median earning for female workers, share of women-owned businesses and share of women who voted in the 2016 presidential election.

Mr. Whitley attempts to bolster his opinion by conveniently pulling an excerpt from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” or, as he states, “the controversial truth” concerning fathers presiding over their families and mothers primarily responsible in nurturing their children. The very next sentence in that document states, “fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as EQUAL PARTNERS.” Surely this applies to all those who are not parents.

From the book “Women in Eternity, Women in Zion” by Alma Don Sorensen and Valerie Hudson Cassler, a definition for “equal” includes equal in power, intelligence, wisdom, dignity, respect, counsel, consent, agency, value, potential, temporal things, along with a list of spiritual equalities. Professor Donald Terry at BYU has explained that the Hebrew terms translated in the KJV of the Bible as “rule over” as in “he (Adam) shall rule over thee (Eve)” is better translated as “rule with.” That small correction could do much to resolve philosophical gender inequality issues.

Research that calls into question practices and behaviors that continue to denigrate and subjugate women are sorely needed in Utah. We must ask ourselves where we are lacking and how we can accommodate change so young girls can achieve their hopes and dreams with equity on a scale equal to or better than other parts of our own country, rather than a paltry comparison with China and Afghanistan. Let’s compare where Utah is with where the women of Utah want to be.

Studies indicate that empowered women contribute to the growth and development of businesses, that educated women are linked to improved health outcomes and poverty reduction, that politically active women lead to policies that address the needs of the entire population, and that women with leadership skills play a significant role in community and family building.

Through supporting the efforts of the Utah Women & Leadership Project’s “Bolder Way Forward” initiative (https://www.usu.edu/uwlp/) and Utah Valley Women & Leadership Collaborative (see Facebook page), Utahns can improve the low ratings of the status of women in our state and, more importantly, improve the actual lives of all women in Utah. Mr. Whitley’s remarks, which are unmistakably unfriendly to gender equality, and thinking similar to his undermines the potential for half our population to be full contributors in bettering all aspects of life for all Utahns.

Whitley ends by highlighting Provo’s ranking as the fifth best-run city in America, but fails to mention — surprise, surprise — HALF of the city’s leadership is female with Mayor Michelle Kaufusi and three out of seven city council members women. Congratulations, Provo!

Karen Hill is a member of the Utah Valley Women & Leadership Collaborative’s steering committee.