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Sara Cuicci is on the Socio-Legal Studies pathway at the University of Nottingham and undertook a 13-week placement with the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

During the placement, Sara undertook legal, logistical, and coordination work to advance access to justice for women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa. She conducted legal research on issues such as child marriage, FGM, and other harmful practices, and compiled a weekly monitor tracking related news, court cases, and developments. She supported data collection for monitoring and evaluating strategic litigation and women’s rights cases, facilitated recruitment for the 2026 fellowship cohort, and assisted in organising a major Convening of Alumni and incoming fellows in Ghana. She also coordinated monthly mentorship check-ins, planned and facilitated virtual training sessions addressing legal and professional development needs, and contributed to the growth of the CFJ fellows’ alumni network through catch-up meetings and the development of network guidelines.

Sara had the opportunity to engage directly with the ten current fellows across seven different countries (Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Liberia, The Gambia, Malawi, and Sierra Leone). This allowed Sara to gain firsthand insight into their strategic litigation cases and outreach work, deepening her understanding of the practical challenges and approaches to advancing gender justice across diverse legal and cultural contexts in Sub-Saharan Africa.