Intersectionality

Intersectionality, n.

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage; a theoretical approach based on such a premise. (Oxford Dictionary)

 

The Equality Act 2010 (which protects people against discrimination in the UK) has nine protected characteristics, these are treated like discrete identities – as though they never overlap when discrimination occurs.

Intersectionality recognises that a person may have a variety of identities and as such the number of discriminations and disadvantages can be complex, for example, a white woman with a disability may experience sexism and ableism and a woman of colour with a disability may experience sexism, ableism and racism and to add more complexity the woman of colour with a disability will experience sexism and ableism in a different way to her white counterpart.

Understanding this concept raises awareness of how discrimination affects every differently, it will encourage individuals and organisations to examine their data and services in a different way to start dismantling the disadvantage some individuals or groups of people may experience, and thus create better cultures of support and inclusivity.

“If we aren’t intersectional, some of us, the most vulnerable, are going to fall through the cracks.”

Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw

 The session will cover:

• What is intersectionality?
• Intersectional approaches to equality data
• Understand why organisations need an intersectional approach to discrimination.
• The benefits of an intersectional organisation.
• Moving an organisation to action

For more information or to book this session email info@taipawb.org 

 

Resources:

Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) “Demarginalizing The Intersection Of Race And Sex: A Black Feminist Critique Of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory And Antiracist Politics.”