Action Strategies of Social Workers from Minority Groups- an Intersectional Approach to Policy Practice

Background and Purpose: Social workers from minority groups employ distinctive strategies when engaging in policy practice, shaped by their intersecting identities and cultural contexts. This study examines how these professionals navigate complex systems while advocating for change, contributing to understanding transformative leadership in multicultural contexts. Using intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989), we analyzed how social workers from minority groups develop and implement action strategies that bridge cultural values with professional principles, revealing innovative approaches to policy practice that can inform more inclusive social work models.

Methods: This qualitative study employed critical perspective and intersectionality theory to explore experiences of social workers from three minority groups in Israel—Ethiopian, Arab, and Ultra-Orthodox communities. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 42 social workers selected through purposive sampling. Data analysis identified patterns of action strategies, focusing on how participants navigated power relations and systemic barriers while implementing change efforts. We specifically examined how their positioning within social, cultural, and political systems shaped their approach to policy practice.

Results: The findings revealed multiple strategic approaches to policy engagement that varied based on cultural and social contexts. These included approaches focused on working within existing systems while honoring cultural values, strategies centered on direct advocacy and system challenge when facing significant barriers, and innovative approaches that created alternative spaces for influence, particularly through digital and community platforms. The study demonstrated how intersectionality significantly shaped these strategic choices, with various identity dimensions—including gender, ethnicity, class, and professional identity—influencing both understanding of systemic barriers and selection of engagement approaches. Gender emerged as a particularly significant factor, interacting with other identity aspects to create unique pathways to policy engagement. Social workers strategically leveraged different aspects of their intersecting identities depending on context, demonstrating the complex relationship between personal positioning and policy practice approaches..

Conclusions and Implications: The identified action strategies represent important innovations in policy practice that bridge research, policy development, and community engagement. Social workers from minority groups demonstrate transformative leadership by creating context-appropriate approaches that respect cultural values while advancing social justice. These findings can inform social work education and practice by highlighting the importance of culturally-responsive policy approaches and providing concrete models for engagement across diverse communities. Supporting these strategic innovations can strengthen the profession's capacity to implement culturally congruent policy practice in increasingly diverse societies.