Intersectionality in policy and practice: A tool for operationalising the Leave No One Behind principle

The realisation of the commitment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to Leave No One Behind (LNOB), and to reach those furthest behind first, requires moving beyond generalisations. This can be done by creating the will and ability to identify who is being excluded, discriminated against, how and why and to recognise the root causes of marginalisation. The  concept and practice of intersectionality is coming into more common use to advance our understanding of discrimination and nuancing the discourse on human rights. There is an emphasis on the need for transformative change to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the leave no one behind principle at the country, regional and global levels.

The ‘Intersectionality in policy and practice: A tool for operationalising the Leave No One Behind principle’, session sought to build a better understanding of how the UN can apply intersectionality in policy, programming and at the project level. Examples were shared of how intersectional approaches can be used as a means of ensuring that no one is left behind.

The Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation has published the 65^th Development Dialogue exclusively focusing on Intersectionality. The contributions share theory, practice, policy options as well as working examples of the concept and practice in relation to data, the SDGs and Leave No One Behind. Two of the contributing organisations participated in the session. Inclusive Data Charter is actively engaged with developing data tools that will take intersectionality forward and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Kenya shared its experiences in using intersectional approaches in their analysis of Leaving No One Behind. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights shared the platform as keynote speaker building on the angle of human rights and intersectionality.

A summary note of this session can be found further below.

Moderator:
José Alvarado, Programme Officer, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation.

Speakers:
Marcella Favretto, Chief, Sustainable Development Section, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Rana Taha, UN Peace and Development Advisor in Kenya

Mike Bolton, Technical Advisor, Inclusive Data Charter / UK Office for National Statistics.

Summary Note ‘Intersectionality in policy and practice: A tool for operationalising the Leave No One Behind principle’ (pdf)