Feminism, Intersectionality and Systems Change

By Maisie Jeffreys

Across many social change spaces, we often talk about equity, inclusion, and justice – yet deep-rooted, gender-based barriers continue to shape the experiences and opportunities (or lack there of) of many. From navigating systemic bias, to confronting gender-based violence and poverty – inequality is built into the very systems we work within, and gender-related issues remain chronically under-researched and under-resourced.

The urgent need for feminist systems change is clear. If equality for all truly lies at the heart of our practice, then feminism is not a niche concern – it is an essential lens for understanding and positively transforming our systems.

Feminist Theory

Feminist theory is an intellectual and critical framework that analyses gender inequality and seeks to understand how social structures, power dynamics, and cultural norms contribute to the oppression of people across genders – particularly women. It examines social roles, experiences, and politics across various fields, with a goal of advocating for greater equality and social justice for all genders.

Intersectionality

In 1989, Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the term “intersectionality” in this paper as a way to help explain the oppression of African-American women. It is a framework for understanding how different elements of racism, sexism, and classism, collide, compound, and create distinct experiences of oppression or privilege.

Crenshaw uses an analogy of an intersection where roads represent different social structures like race and gender. A person positioned at the intersection of these roads experiences the “traffic” of both, resulting in a unique experience.

Credit: IWDA

Feminist systems change recognises that systems are fundamentally made up of people, and hence we must move from objective observers to active participants who engage with systems relationally and reflexively. We can use the theory of intersectionality to understand the varied backgrounds and experiences of people across genders, and how individuals, or groups of people, may experience the same system in different ways. It forces us to confront our assumptions about who experiences oppression and how.

“Courts seem to think that race discrimination was what happened to all black people across gender and sex discrimination was what happened to all women, and if that is your framework, of course, what happens to black women and other women of colour is going to be difficult to see.”

– Kimberlé Crenshaw

Feminism actively challenges gender-based discrimination, and intersectionality contextualises it within the individual’s unique experience – removing the “one size fits all” approach so often seen.

Practical applications

When we ground feminist praxis (the integration of feminist theory and action to achieve social change and gender justice) in intersectionality and systems change, we can design more effective interventions based on a true understanding of people’s experinces, and the root causes of challenges – not just the symptoms.

Credit: The Systems Change Sanctuary

Practically, when designing interventions, initiatives, or just reflecting on our practice, this means:

Step 1: Understanding the System

Getting a full picture of what’s happening:

• Who and what is involved? What is their unique experience? How can intersectionality help us to map this?
• How are things connected?
• What history or experiences are shaping the current situation?
• What are the root causes of challenges (visible and invisible)? How does power appear?

Step 2: Identifying Leverage Points

Looking for the places where small changes can make a big difference:

• Where are the key pressure points in the system?
• What can we shift – like habits, rules, or relationships – to create long-term change?

Step 3: Co-Designing Solutions

Credit: The International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics

Designing creative, practical responses with those affected that go beyond quick fixes to address gender inequality:

• How can we act at multiple levels – individual, organisational, and system-wide?
• What ideas are already working, and where can we try something new?

Step 4: Learning, Adapting, Sustaining

Creating tools to learn and adapt:

• How will you test and improve as you go?
• How will you ensure those with lived-experience, and those affected by gender-based discrimination, can provide feedback and drive change?
• How will you scale or evolve what’s working?

This systems-change process can be powerful in centering lived-experience, challenging patriarchal norms, shifting power, and creating cultures that support equality.