Intersectionality – A challenge for development research and practice?

Abstract

Intersectionality" as a concept is increasingly finding its way into development work. In order to develop an understanding of the concept, this article shows how intersectionality can be used as a conceptual framework to analyse identity-based development claims. The article builds on qualitative research with people living in the countryside in northwest Pakistan to develop an intersectional methodology to engage with development claims. It uses a three-step analytical model to identify subject positions from which different people negotiate "eligibility for development'' and ''responsibility to develop". The paper shows how frequently used categorisations such as gender and class should be complicated by development practitioners and worked with in a more nuanced way.L'« intersectionnalité » en tant que concept figure de plus en plus dans le travail de développement. Afin de développer une manière de comprendre le concept, cet article illustre comment l'intersectionnalité peut être utilisée comme cadre conceptuel pour analyser les affirmations de développement basées sur l'identité. Cet article prend pour point de départ les recherches qualitatives menées avec des personnes vivant dans les campagnes du nord-ouest du Pakistan afin de mettre au point une méthodologie intersectionnelle pour traiter de ces affirmations de développement. Il a recours à un modèle analytique en trois étapes pour identifier les positions de sujet à partir desquelles différentes personnes négocient l'« éligibilité pour le développement » et la « responsabilité de se développer ». Cet article montre comment les catégorisations fréquemment utilisées comme le genre et la classe devraient être compliquées par des praticiens du développement et être traitées de manière plus nuancée.A nivel del trabajo de desarrollo se incorpora cada vez más el concepto de "interseccionalidad". Con el fin de fomentar la comprensión de dicho concepto, el presente artículo examina cómo la interseccionalidad puede ser utilizada como marco conceptual para analizar las afirmaciones basadas en la identidad realizadas en torno al desarrollo. Con el propósito de contribuir a crear una metodología interseccional que permita valorar tales afirmaciones, el artículo se apoya en investigaciones cualitativas realizadas con campesinos del noroeste de Pakistán. Al respecto, utiliza un modelo analítico que incluye tres etapas y que posibilita identificar posiciones del sujeto a partir de las cuales las personas procesan la noción de "idoneidad de desarrollo" y de "responsabilidad para desarrollar". El artículo revela que las personas implicadas en el desarrollo deberán complejizar las categorías de género y clase, frecuentemente utilizadas, empleándolas de manera más matizada.

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