Why do we need to be intersectional?

Intersectionality is the cousin of cultural relativism.

The latter posits that we must judge cultures in accordance with their contexts. The former, on another hand, argues that we must understand and appreciate people in accordance with the social, political, and economic contexts they are coming from.

There is no one true culturally homogenous community in the world. Thus, it is important for us acknowledge what makes us different, yet the same. We must acknowledge that it is possible for 9 out of 10 women to experience discrimination, yet experience them in varying degrees and avenues (because 9 women have 9 different backgrounds). This is one illustration of intersectionality. It has the potential to build an inclusive, prejudice-free society, the kind where we can raise people to be agents of change, rather than be agents of division.

Intersectionality is part of human rights. The world we live in today is a multicultural community where people from diverse backgrounds, such as language, ethnicity, religion, etc. live peacefully altogether. Using intersectional approach to diversity shows that everyone in the community is entitled to equal rights and liberties, no matter who they are. It is significant for every community to think about an inclusive society in which everyone does not fall behind. Fundamental human rights that empower opportunities are keys to bring peace and justice among and between communities.

It’s crucial to create perception that people with different identity variables (race, ethnicity, culture, religion, etc.) might experience different treatments in social life in which these identity variables might make them being privileged while some become underprivileged. In fact, we can make that through intersectionality. By building this awareness in the society, we can start a system with equitable opportunities that prospers everyone regardless of their background, especially by incriminating them in the policy making and other representations in the society.

People need to embrace diversity in order to make the world sustainable. Intersectional approach can bring a marvelous impact on how people perceive things. Social prejudices entrenched in stereotypical people often make marginalized people get overlooked in a lot of important things, especially a woman of colour, a homosexual man/woman of colour, LGBTQIA+ community. Embracing this difference and using intersectional approach to build a more egalitarian society is crucial in marching towards a world with durable sustainability. For example, promoting more access for these marginalized people to undertake leadership positions can be of a monumental influence in overcoming social prejudices and building a more intersectional society.

It is critical to acknowledge and generate the values of intersectionality when it comes to meeting the goals of just and sustainable development. As it requires all the partners and working members to look beyond the surface and to grasp the understanding of our nature of interconnectedness while creating shared values and responsibilities to include people at its heart.

Then, I also consider the means of being intersectional in which one of them is to enable an open dialogue with each affected community and/or minority group and to participate in ways that are meaningful and beneficial for everyone. It would ultimately escalate the mutual interest in promoting holistic change, fostering stakeholder engagement and collaboration opportunities between vulnerable groups, communities, and organisations.

Intersectionality is so important, particularly in today’s globalised society – the latter of which continues to be dominated by white, able-bodied men. I think that the representation of minorities such as the disabled, the LGBTQ+ community and ethnic groups at the government level would ensure their needs are voiced directly to authorities. This would simultaneously reassure communities that their concerns are being heard, whilst also allowing youth who are part of these minority groups to feel represented at higher levels of society. I th