Gender equality, racism and intersectionality

Women and girls make up half of the world’s population and, therefore, half of its potential. Gender equality, in addition to being a fundamental human right, is essential to the establishment of peaceful societies with full human potential and sustainable development. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that empowering women boosts productivity and economic growth. Racial and ethnic discrimination is evident every day, impeding progress for millions of people around the world. Racism and intolerance can take many various forms – from denying of basic principles of equality to incitement to racial hatred that can lead to genocide – and all have the potentiel to destroy lives and shatter communities. The fight against racism is a priority issue for the international community  and is at the centre of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Intersectionality refers to the situation where a person experiences simultaneously several forms of oppression, discrimination or domination. Thus, despite the gains made by various causes and social movements, gaps still need to be addressed for people who live at the intersection of these forms of oppression. These people are not necessarily protected by policies and non-discriminatory measures adopted in society.