Between the Cracks: Looking Beyond White Feminism in DEI interventions for women

This dissertation examined one reason why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts aimed at women often fall short, focusing on how these initiatives overlook the needs of women who do not fit a particular mold. We found that the mold frequently used by DEI efforts in the Global North typically targeted women seeking to become more assertive and confident, believing this would help them tackle gender inequality. When women were not in those circumstances, for example, if they were based in the Global South and/or if they were racially marginalized in the Global North, the interventions did not address these women’s needs or circumstances. Yet, DEI interventions using these standards are common and believed to be effective.

Using content analyses, ranking studies, and (quasi) experiments, this dissertation research found that despite sharing a gender identity, racially marginalized women and/or women based in the Global South can have different intervention needs, deal with different stereotypes and barriers, and have different requirements for what an effective DEI intervention would be compared to women who can benefit from an individualistic approach. These differences are important to consider because when left unspecified, DEI interventions default to using such an individualistic approach.

To better benefit multiply marginalized women, DEI interventions in the Global North may better incorporate more intersectional considerations. This may not necessarily mean tailoring interventions to increasingly specific characteristics of women. Rather, DEI interventions may better encourage structural changes and cultivate collective agency to widely address the various intersectional challenges women face.