Equity and Opportunity in Education

Teen parenting, sexual harassment and bullying, trauma from family and/or community violence, and unfair school disciplinary policies are all well-known risk factors for girls and gender-expansive students—especially students of color—which negatively affect educational attainment and opportunity. Young women and gender-expansive students in higher education also face significant challenges, including pervasive sexual harassment and sexual assault, gender bias in academia relating to pregnancy and caregiving responsibilities, and lack of affordable childcare for student parents.

Public Counsel’s Audrey Irmas Gender Justice Project works to ensure that all students can learn and thrive in safe, inclusive, and supportive educational environments. We use a multi-pronged approach—providing legal representation, Know Your Rights education, coalition-building, and policy advocacy—to protect and expand gender equity in schools. We also partner with Equal Rights Advocates to expand pro bono support for Title IX cases in Southern California, and we are working with Alliance for Girls to build a Los Angeles-based network of girl-serving organizations to advocate for stronger school policies and practices that meet the needs of girls.

To request legal help with a school-related issue, including Title IX violations or pregnancy-related discrimination, please complete our online intake form. You can also call (213) 385-2977, ext. 410, and leave a message—a member of our team will follow up as soon as possible.To request a workshop, training, or Know-Your-Rights presentation on Title IX or related issues, call our intake line—(213) 385-2977, ext. 410—or email the Gender Justice Project: EMAIL HERE.