Overlapping and compounding forms of disadvantage can be addressed through intersectional data approaches. By analyzing multiple characteristics together, rather than in isolation, intersectional data can reveal hidden inequalities that conventional disaggregation may miss.
In practice, intersectionality goes beyond disaggregation and involves examining how different characteristics interact, how data systems may reinforce exclusion, and how insights can drive systemic change. This often requires adjustments in methodologies, governance, and collaboration across sectors.
The resources in this section provide conceptual foundations, practical entry points, and case studies from different perspectives. They will help users seeking to operationalize intersectional approaches across the data value chain. Since disaggregated data is used in intersectional analysis, users may use tools in the disaggregation section to plug gaps and enhance intersectional analysis.
Unpacking Intersectional Approaches to Data—Suite of Resources
Author: Global Partnership
Location: Global Partnership website
Overview: This set of knowledge products aims to help practitioners understand, adopt, and implement intersectional approaches in data systems, examining how multiple aspects of a person’s identity and characteristics, such as age, gender, disability, ethnicity, and so on, combine to shape their experiences of advantage or disadvantage. This suite includes a primer, white paper, and several case studies across contexts, providing both foundations and practical examples across the data value chain.
| Resource | Type | Description | Data Value Chain |
| Unpacking Intersectional Approaches to Data: A White Paper | Conceptual document/ guidance | Sets out the definition, rationale, good practices, lessons, and common challenges on intersectional approaches to data. It focuses on 5 stages and provides key recommendations for each | Identify, Connect, Incentivize, Influence, Use, Change |
| A Primer on an Intersectional Approach to Data | Summary/ guidance | A condensed companion to the white paper, it introduces key concepts, terminology, and entry points for intersectional approaches to data | Identify, Connect, Influence, Use |
| Establishing an Intersectional Approach to Data at Your National Statistics Institute | National case study | Showcases how Colombia and the United Kingdom piloted intersectional data strategies in their NSOs, including rationale, approaches, and challenges. It provides approaches and examples from both countries on developing NSO guidance on intersectional approaches | Identify, Collect, Process, Analyze, Influence, Use, Change |
| Systemic Ways to ‘Leave No One Behind’ | Non-governmental organization/ program case study | Details how Development Initiatives used three intersectional approaches: (1) P20—a systematic way to establish and monitor a population at risk, (2) a landscape approach to explore available data sources, and (3) participatory methods | Identify, Collect, Analyze, Use |
| How Intersectional Approaches to Data Can Be Used to Drive Whole Systems Change | Whole systems case study | Shows how intersectional approaches feed into wider systems to influence sectoral reforms from the Institute of Global Homelessness | Identify, Collect, Process, Analyze, Influence, Change |
| Steps Taken by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre to Understand the Context for Preparing Its Intersectional Approach to Data | Humanitarian case study | Examines how disaggregation of gender, age, and displacement status combined with intersectional analysis led to better targeted interventions and how humanitarian actors can incorporate it into monitoring frameworks | Identify, Collect, Analyze, Use |
| When and How to Use Multivariable Analysis for Identifying Intersectional Inequalities | Researcher/ analyst case study | Highlights a field-level disability research project in Nigeria, examining how the research team designed survey modules, handled sample sizes, and analyzed intersectional outcomes | Collect, Process, Analyze, Use |
Case studies/examples: Yes, there are five published case studies covering different countries, sectors, and practitioner perspectives, with additional examples shared on the site’s blog and in the white paper.
Additional information: Provides conceptual and practical rather than technical guidance.