How to Bring the Intersectionality Lens to Your Theory of Change

When we build a Theory of Change (ToC), it’s like we’re mapping a journey. We’re deciding on a destination (our goals) and identifying the pathways we think will get us there (our strategies). But without an intersectionality lens, it’s like we’re drawing that map in grayscale—overlooking the depth, color, and complexity of real people's lives.

What is Intersectionality, Anyway?

In simple terms, intersectionality is a way of understanding how different aspects of a person’s identity—like race, gender, class, disability, and more—interact and create unique experiences of discrimination or privilege. Coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality shines a light on how people with multiple marginalised identities often experience overlapping and interconnected systems of oppression.

Imagine identity as a set of roads: race is one road, gender another, socioeconomic status another, and so on. For someone who’s navigating intersections of multiple roads (say, being a Black woman or an LGBTQ+ person with a disability), the journey can look a lot different—and often, more challenging—than for those with just one road to navigate.

Why Theories of Change Need an Intersectional Approach

Without intersectionality, our ToCs risk being too narrow, too “one-size-fits-all.” This limits our ability to create meaningful, inclusive change. Think of it like planning a garden with just one type of plant in mind. You’d end up with a uniform, flat landscape rather than a vibrant, resilient ecosystem. Adding an intersectional lens brings in the color, variety, and resilience that makes our work thrive.

When we consider how different identities intersect, we start to see more of the complexities in people’s lives and in the barriers they face. This awareness lets us build more inclusive pathways toward change, recognizing that not everyone will experience our interventions in the same way—and thus, that they might not benefit equally without tailored efforts.

Bringing Intersectionality Into Your Theory of Change

So, how do we bring that intersectionality lens into our ToC? Here are some practical ways to get started.

1. Map Out Multiple Perspectives

Let’s say your goal is to improve employment outcomes in a community. Start by identifying the various groups that may experience this issue differently. For example, women, young people, people with disabilities, or recent immigrants may all face unique employment challenges. Then ask: How do these identities intersect? What challenges do, for example, young immigrant women face that might be different from those faced by men in the same community?

Think of it as a multi-layered map. Each group brings its own path, and intersections reveal new obstacles (or opportunities) that we might not see otherwise. When you can identify these intersections, you can create pathways that acknowledge these complex realities.

2. Design Targeted Strategies for Unique Needs

An intersectional ToC requires us to create differentiated strategies that address the needs of these various groups. For instance, if your ToC includes a goal to “increase access to vocational training,” it may need to look different for different groups. Here’s an example:

• For single mothers, offer childcare support alongside training.
• For people with disabilities, ensure accessibility features.
• For recent immigrants, include language support or cultural orientation elements.

These tailored approaches go a long way in ensuring that each group can engage fully with the intervention, ultimately making the change effort more equitable and effective.

3. Include Diverse Voices at Every Stage

An intersectional ToC is built on listening to those directly affected. Actively engage diverse voices—not just in the planning phase, but in design, implementation, and evaluation. This might mean holding focus groups, conducting surveys, or having key stakeholders on advisory boards who can share the lived experiences of those in intersecting identity groups.

Imagine planning a meal for a group of people. You wouldn’t serve the same dish to everyone without asking about allergies, preferences, or dietary restrictions. By involving people with varied identities, you get insights that prevent “one-size-fits-all” strategies and instead create solutions that are more tailored, inclusive, and ultimately effective.

4. Use Data to Uncover Overlapping Barriers

Analyzing data with an intersectional lens can reveal unexpected barriers. For example, you might see high dropout rates in a youth training program and initially think it’s a universal problem. But when you dig deeper, you may find that dropout rates are especially high among young women of color due to factors like caregiving responsibilities, transportation issues, or workplace discrimination.

Use this data to refine your ToC, creating support systems that specifically address the needs of each group. For example, adding mentoring or peer-support systems for women of color could help reduce dropout rates.

A Practical Example of an Intersectional ToC

Let’s look at a practical example to tie it all together. Imagine a nonprofit aiming to reduce food insecurity in an urban area. Their initial ToC might have goals like “increase access to nutritious food” by setting up community gardens and food banks. But with an intersectional lens, they recognize that different community members face unique barriers.

• For seniors with mobility issues, the ToC adds a delivery service from the food bank.
• For working single parents, it ensures food bank hours align with their work schedules.
• For non-English-speaking immigrants, it includes language-specific resources and guidance.

By tailoring strategies to different groups, the ToC becomes much more inclusive and capable of serving the whole community. It’s like transforming a simple blueprint into a rich, layered design that’s flexible enough to meet everyone’s needs.

Join our webinar on gender responsive Theories of Change where we will explore intersectionality in more details.

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