Passed by Congress on June 23, 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 bars sex discrimination in education programs and activities offered by entities receiving federal financial assistance. In the 40 years since its enactment, Title IX has improved access to educational opportunities for millions of students, helping to ensure that no educational opportunity is denied to women on the basis of sex and that women are granted "equal opportunity to aspire, achieve, participate in and contribute to society based on their individual talents and capacities." However, despite the gains achieved in the last 40 years, inequalities in education persist. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is committed to pursuing the goal of equality in education through its continued enforcement of Title IX and other federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex. It strives to enforce laws that: (1) Ensure equal access to education; (2) Prevent sexual harassment and assault; and (3) Ensure equal opportunities in athletics. The DOJ also works to strengthen the requirements of these laws and enhance the public's understanding of their provisions, and it partners with other government agencies to enforce legal requirements and provides technical assistance to promote compliance with the law.