What do we mean by that statement? What is intersectional feminism? Let’s break the word ‘intersectional’ into two: ‘inter’ and ‘sectional’.  Inter is a prefix which means; ‘between’, ‘among’, ‘in the midst of’ etc, whereas ‘sectional’ means; ‘part’, ‘division’, ‘component’, and such other. Now, that we have dissected the two words: inter and sectional, let's combine the two into a meaningful whole: when two or more sections/parts converge or come together, it is termed as intersectional. Let’s understand the literal meaning with an example: you are an individual with an identity. How do you identify yourself in this world? At first, you will think of the country you are born into. Within that country, you will first think of your state and then your religious or political affiliation. When these components of your identity like; country, state, religion and political identities converge or intersect, you are defined as a person and you carve a niche for yourself.

Similarly, intersectionality is a method of analysis and when applied to feminism, it becomes a separate field of study called intersectional feminism. Every individual’s unique identity is born out of various factors like; gender, race, appearance, religion, sexuality, and others. These factors kind of intersect to highlight privileges and discrimination that might not be the same as the person sitting next to us. At times, some factors may overlap but there is a difference nonetheless to study the complexity of one’s social and political being.

The term intersectionality was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989. Based on her study on African-American women, one may argue that intersectionality overlaps or can be studied synonymously with Colonialism, Postcolonialism and Postcolonial Feminism. Yes, it does overlap in understanding the systems of power within the colonial legacy, its departure from the forms of oppression and its effect on women and their eventual subjugation. Originating out of these theories, the range of intersectionality is wider. Going beyond race, class, gender; intersectionality takes into account various other factors of discrimination that intersect at a time and affect someone’s life. Even in a postcolonial state, women risk their experiences to become homogenous. Suppose two women belong to the same gender, class and race, how can we study their experiences? How can we study their differences, privileges and discrimination? Do the above-mentioned theories- totalizing in nature- allow us for a fair fight against gender equality?

Thus, using intersectionality the fight for gender equality becomes more inclusive. Its application becomes even more important in the context of India. India is multicultural and unique in its diversity. With the intersectional framework, conclusions from certain studies like; ‘ poor women are impacted the most’, will be further scrutinized allowing multiple layers of identities, and power structures in operation in recognizing individual experiences resulting from the convergence of multiple factors that form one’s identity. 

IMAGE CREDIT: IWDA.ORG.AU