Understanding intersecting forms of vulnerability and discrimination is increasingly recognized as key to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the ‘Leave No One Behind (LNOB)’ agenda. Yet translation from concept into practice remains challenging and the use of intersectional approaches remain an underprioritized and underexplored area of work. Against this backdrop, UN Women has engaged in research and knowledge-generation as part of its global ‘disability inclusion and intersectionality portfolio’ to explore how intersectional approaches help identify the drivers of exclusion in conflict or crisis-affected areas and countries in transition.

This policy brief discusses the global context for intersectionality in conflict or crisis and transition settings, and considers the specific barriers faced in relation to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the Rule of Law agendas. It provides recommendations to overcome these barriers and points to positive actions to ensure that policies and programmes are inclusive and accessible for all.