Public Policies on Gender Mainstreaming – Rescuing Intersectionality, Intersectoriality and Interdisciplinarity in Social Work

Abstract

This paper proposes a discussion on the incorporation of multiple axes of inequality (or axes of difference) in the formulation of public policies from a gender perspective, using the example of three themes that articulate with each other: intersectionality, intersectorality and interdisciplinarity. These issues are analyzed in three social situations that emerged from the everyday practice of Social Workers in Florianópolis, in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, which serve to illustrate our proposition. We conclude that it is essential that Social Workers recognize the importance of an intersectionality and intersectorality approach in their daily practice; and that interdisciplinarity enriches the profession, enabling us to engage with other areas, remove ourselves from isolation, socialize experiences and share knowledge.