The importance of intersectionality in disability and gender studies

abstract

Investigations into the relationship between poverty and disability are limited, particularly from a South African perspective. In addition, when this relationship is addressed it is usually in isolation of other social characteristics, such as gender. As such the intersections between disability, gender, race and poverty are often overlooked – yet internationally research points to gender gaps in outcomes for people with disabilities. This briefing seeks to address this gap by reporting on a national study on poverty and disability in South Africa. We make use of the theory of intersectionality as a lens to interpret evidence from a national survey, the South African National Income Dynamics Study (South African Labour and Development Research Unit, 2014). Specifically, we assess how poverty and disability intersect to shape particular outcomes for women as compared to men with disabilities. This briefing demonstrates that in South Africa disability intersects with gender as well as age and race to result in negative outcomes in education, employment and income for all people with disabilities, but particularly black women with disabilities. Evidence is provided for what we theorise to be the case – that disability and gender intersect to compound negative outcomes for black women with disabilities.

Keywords:

• disability
• gender
• poverty
• intersectionality
• South Africa

Notes

1. In South Africa the term ‘Coloured’ is an ethnic label for people of mixed ethnic origin. The government requires all organisations to report on the number of people registered in terms of the four official race categories so that it can monitor transformation.

2. Data need to be interpreted with caution due to high non-response error.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jacqueline Moodley

JACQUELINE MOODLEY is a researcher at the Centre for Social Development at the University of Johannesburg, and is a trained research psychologist. Jacqueline has worked on a study on poverty and disability in Johannesburg, as well as the National Study on Poverty and Disability. Her other research interests include mental illness and resilience amongst women. Email: [email protected]

Lauren Graham

LAUREN GRAHAM is a senior researcher at the Centre for Social Development in Africa at the University of Johannesburg. She is trained as a development sociologist. She has a keen interest in disability studies, and was the lead researcher on the National Study on Poverty and Disability that the CSDA recently concluded with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She also retains an interest in youth studies, including a focus on youth employability. She completed her doctorate on young people’s negotiation of risk in their everyday identity work in 2012. Email: [email protected]