This article presents the legal and feminist theory behind intersectionality, a term coined by Crenshaw. Although indicative of US law rather than that of the UK, Crenshaw’s 1989 paper offers an academic account of intersectionality beyond traditional discrimination discourse, via an analysis of three historic American legal cases, DeGraffenreid v. General Motors, Moore v. Hughes Helicopter, Inc., and Payne v. Travenol Laboratories. #racesexintersection
“This focus on the most privileged group members marginalises those who are multiply-burdened and obscures claims that cannot be understood as resulting from discrete sources of discrimination.”
Capitalism, postcolonialism and gender: Complicating development
This think piece highlights the importance of incorporating intersectional and post-colonial feminist perspectives in any work focused on 'gender and development.' Both perspectives are critical as they provide an analysis of the interplay and intersection between gender, race, class, sexuality, capitalism, colonialism, "and the ways in which colonial pasts have constructed unequal presents." #postcolonialfeminism
"As many postcolonial feminist economists have noted, women in the Global South often end up doing the worst paid and most precarious and dangerous jobs in the world."
Focusing on a group historically marginalised by both women's rights movements and disability rights movements, the Gender & Development Network explore how women and girls with disabilities can struggle to implement their rights in the presence of development programmes. This briefing utilises broad and wide-reaching sources to isolate the experiences of women with disabilities in areas of: education; sexual and reproductive health and rights; water, sanitation and hygiene; violence against women and girls; economic empowerment; participation, decision-making and leadership; and situations of risk and humanitarian crisis. #genderdisabilityintersection
"While it has often been assumed that targeting poor communities through development interventions ensures that persons with disabilities are appropriately included – and likewise, that programmes directed at women will necessarily reach women with disabilities – it is increasingly recognised that this is not always the case."
It’s Time To Face the Facts: We Have A Gender and Diversity Problem in the Nonprofit World
The CEO and President of Ipas, an international reproductive health and rights organisation, writes in Forbes about bias within donor communities. She recounts how women dominating the domestic nonprofit sector translates to the disproportionately few organisations women do lead being less likely to receive funders’ attention and resources, limiting the growth and impact of their organisations. #donors
“It is a myth that “do-gooders” are more self-aware and better equipped than others to challenge the power imbalances that exist in society at large.”
The Social Justice Sector has an Internal Racism Problem
This piece calls for the empowering and validating of black female leadership, arguing that many white dominant systems of charity and international development are limited in their ability to significantly reduce poverty and advance justice in communities of colour. Menjívar argues that the "voices of black women must not only be heard, they must be centered and amplified." #blackfemaleleadership
"Even as diversity and inclusion are becoming mainstream as a way of strengthening teams, conversations about diversity tend to be superficial and focus mostly on gender inclusion."
The Young Feminist Fund centres its mission on self-care and community care. This manifesto calls for members to make each other accountable for individual and community well-being. #workplaceculture
Aiming to “collectively build, create and consolidate a healthier organisational culture and community culture.”
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