Initiatives

The Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic focuses on gender-based violence, reproductive rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social rights, children’s rights, and anti-trafficking work.

Human Rights and Gender Justice (HRGJ) Clinic students engage in cutting edge human rights work under close clinical supervision. The Clinic maintains a diverse docket of projects, providing students broad experience in human rights practice. Through the clinical seminar and project work, HRGJ students develop a sound understanding of international human rights and sharpen lawyering skills necessary for effective law reform-oriented advocacy work applicable in both U.S. and international contexts.

Widely recognized for its expertise and contributions to gender jurisprudence and human rights practice, the HRGJ clinic advocates before international and regional human rights bodies and national and local courts and legal institutions. Our projects combat gender discrimination and sexual violence, advance reproductive and sexual rights and economic and social rights, and promote women’s participation and empowerment. By addressing problems through the lens of human rights, HRGJ students use international human rights law and institutions to challenge and expand rights protections in both domestic and international fora.

Rhonda Copelon: A Lasting Legacy

Professor Rhonda Copelon, co-founder of CUNY Law’s Human Rights and Gender Justice Clinic, discusses the impact and vision of the School’s Clinic and the challenges and opportunities central to shifting the worldwide landscape for women’s human rights.