This document summarizes research on gender equality and criminal justice responses for young women. It notes that young women who offend often have experiences of victimization including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Their pathways into the criminal justice system are related to factors like family breakdown, trauma, exploitation, mental health issues, and drug and alcohol misuse. While many young women commit non-violent crimes, the criminal justice system tends to criminalize their risky behaviors. The document calls for more gender-sensitive and welfare-oriented approaches to rehabilitate young women and prevent the generational cycle of offending.