The Center on Gender Justice & Opportunity at Georgetown Law
Our mission is to eliminate gender and racial disparities in education, healthcare, and the legal system. Our efforts are guided by the lived experiences of women and girls who are systemically marginalized.
After ten years operating as an initiative of the Center on Poverty & Inequality, we are proud to become a standalone, independent Center within Georgetown Law.
Our focus includes education, healthcare, and the legal system, in service of a world where all girls and gender-expansive youth experience a childhood that is truly free.
Check out these new and noteworthy updates on our work:
News
April 10, 2023
How sexually abused girls are still ending up in jail and prisons
The Washington Post By Jessica Contrera
Announcement
December 19, 2022
Gender Justice and Opportunity Initiative receives landmark support from #StartSmall
Areas of Focus
As a part of Georgetown Law, our goal is to uncover and eliminate gender and racial disparities across public systems, including in schools, hospitals, and courtrooms. We start by investigating the root causes of injustice through groundbreaking research and then work to develop innovative law and policy solutions. Our efforts are informed by girls and rooted in their lived experiences.
Adultification Bias
Our research uncovered a form of bias Black women and girls are all too familiar with: adults view Black girls as less innocent and more adult-like than their white peers, even in the 5-9 years old age bracket. We’re working to build community and share resources to overcome this form of bias.
Learn MoreEducation & Pushout
Girls of color experience disproportionate rates of school discipline and pushout. We work to help identify harmful practices and present ways to transform schools into places where girls can heal, learn, and thrive.
Learn MoreTrauma & Mental Health
We focus on girls’ unique experiences of trauma and identify means of improving mental healthcare and outcomes for girls and communities of color.
Learn MoreJuvenile Justice
Girls are often criminalized in response to the trauma they experience. As a result, they’re inappropriately involved in the juvenile justice system despite the need for support and the lack of risk to public safety they present. We offer analysis and policy recommendations to dismantle the abuse to prison pipeline.
Learn MoreRestorative Justice Practices
We put a special focus on restorative justice practices as a means of strengthening school connection and improving health equity for all youth.
Learn MoreStorytelling, Art, & Mindfulness
We center the voices of girls in identifying challenges, needs, strengths, and solutions though art and shared narratives.
Learn MoreThe Center on Gender Justice & Opportunity at Georgetown Law is independently funded.
We rely on donations and grants to conduct our work.