Intersectionality, migration and development

Abstract

Since the 1970s feminist theories have made considerable contributions to development theories and practice, challenged the androcentrism of much development thinking, the normative assumptions about how households behave, and the taking of heterosexuality as the norm. However, despite the uptake of feminist contributions to development, how gender based inequalities are often compounded or intersected by inequalities based on class, race and ethnicity remains largely under-theorized in mainstream development studies. This paper discusses the relevance of intersectionality in the context of development theory and practice, particularly by reviewing how intersectionality has been used in the area of migration studies.