Intersectionality has become a well-used term in the aid sector despite heated debates on its definition. Many understand intersectionality as a theory, a research paradigm, or a strategy to transform power relations. More often than not, people use the term intersectionality when citing a long list of ‘vulnerable’ identities and positioning people in ways that are akin to victim blaming without acknowledging the systemic and structural power relations that are both the drivers and causes of oppression, discrimination, and stigma. 

This session will explore the ideas of intersectionality, identity, and markers of difference and connect them to Crenshaw's work, which includes ‘domains of power’. It will explore how individual identities and markers of difference are not necessarily vulnerabilities but, for some people, are sources of strength and resilience. 

As a GEDSI advisor, I am often asked how to operationalise intersectionality, and this workshop will position intersectionality as an analytical tool that can be used with local communities to identify areas of exclusion within specific contexts and develop locally led activities to strengthen the inclusion of underrepresented groups. 

During the 90-minute workshop, as a group, we will centre the domains of power while sharing experiences that people may have when they intersect with the different domains of power. This activity will bring forth a recognition that while people’s identities, characteristics and markers of difference can make people vulnerable to various forms of discrimination and exclusion, we can better understand that in specific contexts, with particular domains of power, it looks and behaves in specific ways that we can as aid workers and as a larger system can ameliorate. 

This will introduce a new and different way to operationalise intersectionality practically, and the activity can be used by delegates in communities to develop a locally led intersectional approach. 

 The workshop will:

·         Unpack the definition of intersectionality, its history and four power domains.

·         Introduction to intersectionality as an analytical tool. 

·         Undertake group work while analysing a case study within the context of the intersectionality tool and brainstorming actions you can take as aid workers. Groups will have relevant case studies for different aid sectors. 

·         The workshop will end with a reflexive practice session. 

 

This workshop is a space to unpack different ways to understand intersectionality and build skills through experiential learning. You will practice centring the domains of power as the locus of exclusion rather than taking a victim-blaming approach of focusing solely on people’s identities. You can share your experiences of practising intersectionality with the different power domains, highlighting exclusion and lived experience expertise, strength, and resilience.  

 At the end of this workshop, you will have experienced peer learning, reflective practice, and learning how to facilitate an activity that embeds a strengths-based, locally led approach to intersectionality.