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Gender and Intersectionality in Business and Human Rights Scholarship
Articles, Book Chapters, & Popular Press
  • Melisa N. Handl, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Common Law, University of Ottawa
  • Sara L. Seck, Dalhousie University Schulich School of Law
  • Penelope Simons, Faculty of Common Law, University of Ottawa
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2022
Keywords
  • Business and Human Rights,
  • Gender Dimensions of the UNGPs,
  • Intersectionality,
  • UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights,
  • Women and Persons of Diverse Genders
Abstract

In this article, we explore what intersectionality, as an analytic tool, can contribute to business and human rights (BHR) scholarship. To date, few BHR scholars have explicitly engaged in intersectional analysis. While gender analysis of BHR issues remains crucial to expose inequality in business activity, we argue that engagement with intersectionality can enrich and support this and other BHR scholarship. Intersectional approaches allow us to move beyond single-axis analysis, contest simplistic representations about gender issues and expose the complexity of human relations. It draws our attention to structures that sustain disadvantage such as racism, colonialism, social and economic marginalization and systematic discrimination. Moreover, intersectionality emphasizes the need to centre the contributions of those who have been marginalized. It can be used to challenge the legitimacy of the state and support subaltern, decolonized or postcolonial, including indigenous, perspectives. Adopting an intersectional approach can help problematize the neoliberal capitalist system and its constructs, in which the BHR normative framework is embedded, calling into question the reification of economic growth and its impact on individuals, communities and the planet. We must, however, remain cautious of attempts to co-opt intersectionality in the service of neoliberalism and remain conscious of our own privilege and discursive practices.

Creative Commons License
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
Citation Information
Melisa N Handl, Sara L Seck & Penelope Simons, "Gender and Intersectionality in Business and Human Rights Scholarship" (2022) 7:2 Bus and Human Rights J 201.