ABSTRACT
The intersectional approach was developed within the feminist movement when Black activists and scholars claimed that the marginalisation of women is linked not only to their gender but also to other factors, such as race, social class, citizenship status, sexual identity, age, (dis)ability and others. Moreover, the combination of certain social categories causes an uneven distribution of power in society.
Today, intersectionality, can be defined not only as a theory, methodology and analytical tool, but also as a type of strategy of certain social movements. It has become an important approach in activism and social movement scholarship. The main goal of this chapter is to analyse the most current debates present in both milieus. First, the origin of intersectionality will be briefly outlined, then a description of three main approaches – scholarship, research and activism – follows. Finally, the intersectional approach and its implications are further interrogated through analysis of selected social movements that are focussed on dealing with intimate citizenship constraints such as reproductive and sexual rights. The majority of the activists in these particular movements are people with a migratory background.
