Summary

Pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 47/21, in the present report, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights unpacks key elements of intersectionality as an essential framework to combat systemic racism and confront legacies of enslavement and colonialism. The High Commissioner draws on data and lived experiences exposing systemic racism and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by Africans and people of African descent in different regions, while showing how groups – and individuals within those groups – experience discrimination in qualitatively different ways, considering their diverse identities. The present report includes measures taken by States and others aimed at integrating an intersectionality analysis, lens or perspective and other actions to advance racial justice and equality.

The High Commissioner finds that long-standing leadership and advocacy, notably by women of African descent, has resulted in some Governments and others increasingly seeking to apply an intersectionality framework in responses to discrimination and inequalities. However, significant challenges prevail and comprehensive implementation of all components of the intersectionality framework is lacking.

The High Commissioner concludes that a holistic application of that framework can be a game changer and calls upon States to adopt multi-pronged approaches towards its implementation. He calls for a full shift in mindset, urging States to seize upcoming opportunities with renewed vigour and stronger political will to achieve transformative change for racial justice and equality for Africans and people of African descent. That can only be realized by responding to the full spectrum of lived experiences; alongside tackling the root causes and drivers of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including structures, institutions, laws, policies and behaviours that perpetuate such discrimination.