Centre For Excellence

Intersectionality

An intersectional approach is helpful for successfully creating culturally responsive and inclusive programs. It requires recognizing that the challenges and contributors to the wellbeing of clients is “never the result of single, distinct factors. Rather, they are the outcome of intersections of different social locations, power relations, and experiences” (Hankivsky 2014). 

Intersectionality is a framework that encourages us to think about the multiple and intersecting identities that shape our lives. We all belong to multiple groups and possess a collection of identities. Sometimes we choose these identities, other times they are attributed to us by those around us. 

  • Intersectionality

Intersectionality - Blockquote

“A client’s wellbeing is never the result of single, distinct factors. Rather, they are the outcome of intersections of different social locations, power relations, and experiences” (Hankivsky 2014).

“A client’s wellbeing is never the result of single, distinct factors. Rather, they are the outcome of intersections of different social locations, power relations, and experiences” (Hankivsky 2014).

Intersectionality - 2 column

The reflective exercise below is meant to help you think through the multiple identities that make up, your, and others’, understanding of yourself. It also encourages you to reflect on how these identities impact your interaction with broader societal structures and norms. Examples can include but are not limited to:

Ethno-cultural background
Nationality Gender
Identity Sexual
Orientation
Age
Education
Occupation

Family Status
Ability
Income
Religion
Immigration Status
Language
Geographic location

Reflective Exercise

The reflective exercise below is meant to help you think through the multiple identities that make up, your, and others’, understanding of yourself. It also encourages you to reflect on how these identities impact your interaction with broader societal structures and norms. Examples can include but are not limited to:

Ethno-cultural background
Nationality Gender
Identity Sexual
Orientation
Age
Education
Occupation

Family Status
Ability
Income
Religion
Immigration Status
Language
Geographic location

Reflective Exercise

Intersectionality - 1 column

The adoption of an intersectional lens in program design reminds us to move beyond static, homogenizing categories of “immigrant”, “senior”, and “women” to reflect on how identities overlap with factors such as ethno-cultural background, language skills, education, employment history, year of immigration, and family composition. Further it encourages considering how these factors interact with existing structures and systems that impact daily lives.

For more info:

The adoption of an intersectional lens in program design reminds us to move beyond static, homogenizing categories of “immigrant”, “senior”, and “women” to reflect on how identities overlap with factors such as ethno-cultural background, language skills, education, employment history, year of immigration, and family composition. Further it encourages considering how these factors interact with existing structures and systems that impact daily lives.

For more info:

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