Intersectionality, race and decolonisation

Intersectionality refers to the way in which multiple forms of discrimination – based on gender, race, sexuality, disability and class, etc. – overlap and interact with one another to shape how different individuals and groups experience discrimination.

As a network, addressing patriarchy, gender inequality and the abuse of women’s rights remains the primary focus of GADN’s political agenda and our particular contribution to social justice movements. But we recognise that gender inequality cannot be understood and effectively confronted in isolation from the myriad of other discriminations and forms of oppression that women face.

Taking an intersectional approach means being mindful of three main points:

While all women are subject to gender discrimination in one way or another, it is not just gender but also race, socio-economic class and other factors which shape their experiences of discrimination, marginalisation and oppression.
An individual’s particular experience of intersecting discriminations is unique; it is not simply the sum of different discriminations.
As a political movement, feminism must tackle all forms of discrimination and oppression whether based on gender, race or class.