DISENTANGLING THE WEB OF SYSTEMIC INJUSTICE: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL WORK'S RESPONSE TO THE INTERSECTION OF POVERTY, RACISM, AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

This paper will analytically discuss the ways systematic oppression, both poverty, Racism, and GBV, unfolds in urban settings and the ability of Social work to address these issues. These oppressions are intertwined and are especially prevalent in the urban areas since people living and working there form a tightly-knit population of employees living and working in institutions. However, drawing from intersectionality and critical race theory, the study analysis is qualitative, using secondary data and semi-structured interviews to assess systematic unfairness. The research establishes that social norms contribute to the emergence of GBV since they involve Racism and economic bias, which ensures that victims stay bound and remain suppressed. Potential intervention examples, including integrated service delivery, exhibit strengths such as micro and meso-level practices but weaknesses including lack of funding, inadequate training of social workers, and absence of intersectionality. The study, therefore, calls for culturally tailored, team, approached individual, structural changes, and policy intervention.