What is Intersectionality

An approach to power structures and lived experiences that addresses the ways in which the ideologies of racism, patriarchy, capitalism, etc. are interconnected.

The interconnected nature of multiple oppressions, disadvantages, and discrimination.

is a term coined to describe overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination ( Crenshaw, 1989 ).

It denotes interconnection of social categorizations like race, class, and gender, which is thought to create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

It refers to the complex and cumulative ways in which different forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, and intersect in the experiences of marginalized people or groups. In feminist theory, the term as coined by Kimberle Crenshaw is related to triple oppression.

An analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege ( Crenshaw, 1990 ).

The interconnections between social identity categorizations such as race, gender, ethnicity, and class, sometimes leading to complex and overlapping discrimination or disadvantage or unfair treatment.

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

The idea that an individual’s experiences are not based solely on one social identity such as race, but on the interactions of multiple social identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, and ability status among others.

The interconnection and overlapping systems of multiple social identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, ability, sexual status, sexual orientation, etc.

As defined by Patricia Hill Collins and later expanded by Kimberlé Crenshaw describes the simultaneous identity experience between co-existing identities. Identities can be dynamic and include race, gender, sex, age, ability, etc.

The critical analysis perspective that aspects of one’s identity intersect and interrelate and that discrimination across these identities is not isolated.

Analytic structure through which feminist scholars in various fields talk about the framework identities of race, class, gender, and sexuality (Cooper, 2016).

The oppression associated with overlapping of aspects of women’s social identities, including but not limited to class, gender, and race. The two forms of intersectionality most commonly referenced are political and structural. Political intersectionality refers to how an individual can belong to multiple social groups, each possessing its own political agenda; those at the intersection of the social groups can feel torn or as if they do not have a voice. Structural Intersectionality refers to the intersection of multiple social systems that inform the experiences and sometimes unintentionally oppresses certain groups of individuals.

This theorizes the strata of oppression based on the multiple intersections of cultural identities such as race, class, ability, gender, linguistics, sexuality, etc.

An analytical framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different modes of discrimination and privilege. The term was conceptualized and coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in a paper in 1989.

The overlap of multiple independent identities that are influenced by culture and may carry varying levels of advantage or disadvantage.

A theoretical notion that names the relationship(s) between/among minoritized identities and the systems of oppression within which those identities exist and interact.

The concept first came from the legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 and is largely used in Feminist theory. It discusses the overlap of various social identities contributing to the systematic oppression and discrimination experienced by women. It refers to the focusing on multiple inequalities based on class, caste, racial and ethnic origin, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, etc. so that no one is missed out from the development agendas like resource allocation and policy formulations of gender mainstreaming.

Explains the way race, gender and socio-economic status work together to reinforce disadvantages among some people in our societies.

Term coined by Crenshaw (1989) that describes experiences and struggles of Black women not adequately captured in the feminist and anti-racist discourse.

A framework that recognizes the overlap of multiple social identities an individual may hold. These identities may contribute to one’s power and privilege or discrimination, marginalization, and oppression based on such facets of identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, class status, education, religion, etc.).

Interconnected nature of social identities line rase, class as they apply to individuals or groups.

Coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, intersectionality is a feminist theory that takes into consideration the intersections of identity such as race, gender, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

The compounded impact of disadvantage from multiple sources.

Pertains to the interconnected nature of identifiable classifications such as gender, class, and race as applied to collective or individual groups, which contribute to a distinct overlap in terms of the emergence of discrimination and active disadvantage.

The interconnectedness of social categories such as race, class, gender, and sexuality as they apply to a given individual or group. These categories create overlapping systems of privilege, power, discrimination, and oppression.

The idea that different types of oppression based on categorization exist simultaneously and create more powerful systems of oppression for groups and individuals than if they were to exist separate from one another.

Everyone has simultaneous membership of several collectivities which interact with those of others.

Analysis claiming that systems of race, social class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nation, and age form mutually constructing features of social organization, which shape Black women’s experiences and, in turn, are shaped by Black women (Collins, 2009).

An approach originating from black feminism in the US. It suggests an analysis of social reality from the understanding of the intersection of oppressions and privileges based on racism/ethnicity, gender, sexism, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, class, or disability (ableism).

A framework for considering women’s overlapping identities, roles, and experiences to understand the barriers, challenges, obstacles, and opportunities they face.

A place where multiple identities converge, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, etc.

Systemic structures that oppress or privilege particular identities (race, ethnicity, ability, gender identity, and sexuality) within society resulting in discrimination and marginalization.

Unique experiences of discrimination.

Idea that a person can belong to two or more marginalized groups.

The intersection between various socio-cultural identities and the way in which these intersections can impact an individual within their context.

Intersectionality is the concept that refers to the interconnectedness of the multiple dimensions of social relationships and power. The power structures underlying social differences such as gender, class, age, ethnicity and others between and among men and women have the potential to reinforce each other, creating dynamic situations of inclusion and exclusion. It also helps to explain how someone can hold privilege in some aspects of their life, while be disadvantaged in others.

Intersectionality in cyber feminism recognizes and analyzes how multiple forms of oppression intersect and interact in digital spaces. It acknowledges that individuals' experiences of gender-based violence and discrimination are shaped by the intersections of their race, class, sexuality, ability, and other social identities. By considering these intersecting factors, cyber feminism aims to challenge power dynamics, promote inclusivity, and advocate for equitable digital environments that address the diverse experiences and vulnerabilities of women from marginalized communities.

Scholar Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw definition of the superimposing and relatedness of social identities, privileges and oppression.

A concept often used in critical theories to describe the ways in which oppressive institutions (racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, classism, etc.) are interconnected and cannot be examined separately from one another.

The way that various dimensions of marginalization (such as race, class, gender, etc.) interact in a layered way that results in more complex lived experiences of prejudice.

How an individual’s different social identities intersect in their lives that can be discriminating or challenging.

A theory that addresses people’s multiple layers of marginalization and oppression that work interdependently ( Crenshaw, 1989 ).

This is a new approach in gender studies based on the supposition that gender lies on the crossroads of many social factors: power, class, race, nation, and so forth. It presents a conventional product stipulated greatly by these factors. Intersectionality is considered as a paradigmatic approach, especially applied to activism and social activities. It argues that the classical models of oppression within a society, such as those based on race/ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, class, disability, and other markers of difference do not act independently of one another. Instead, these forms of oppression interrelate, based on which markers apply to a given individual (and intersectionality derives its name from this intersection of forms of oppression). Intersectionality thus holds that knowing, for example, that a woman lives in a sexist society is insufficient information to describe her experience; instead, it is also necessary to know her race, her sexual orientation, her class, and so forth.

Intersectionality theory emphasizes that people are part of different groups, such as age and gender. Therefore, they may simultaneously experience the advantages and disadvantages associated with these different groups. Being a member of more than one group can bring with it different stereotypes for everyone (see Cole, 2009 ; Marcus & Fritzsche, 2015 ; Richardson & Loubier, 2008 ).

This perspective on individual identity argues that it is important to appreciate the intersection of race, socio-economic status, and age.

It reflects an understanding that each of us has different experiences of discrimination and persecution that may be distinctive to us. As such, we should consider all experiences so as not to marginalize any individual because of any social, physical, or economic differences such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

The interconnected nature of identity categories that are relationally and socially constructed.

Pertains to the interconnected nature of identifiable classifications such as gender, class, and race as applied to collective or individual groups, which contribute to a distinct overlap in terms of the emergence of discrimination and active disadvantage.

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Refers to the merging and interconnecting of diverse identity markers, such as gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation.

It includes the understanding of people’s experiences of discrimination and oppression based on the interconnected nature of social issues that can marginalised them such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.

The manner in which one’s different interconnected identities may affect power, privilege, and oppression on both an institutional and personal level.

Framework for analysis, advocacy and social change which states that each individual occupies a specific and unique location within their social contexts, trying to understand their experiences as a result of their multiple intertwined identities and the structures of power and oppression within they operate.

With an emphasis on the experiences of women of color, intersectionality is a theoretical perspective, developed by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 that focuses on marginalized individuals’ intersecting social identities.

The study of overlapping social identities that aims to examine how various categories interact with one another, usually in regard to discrimination or oppression.

This term is used to break down the complex nature of the identities of people of color and the result of them entering environments or engaging in interactions where white systems or systematic dispositions and processes are dominate.

A framework for examining and understanding the ways in which various aspects of an individual’s identities together create their particular experiences of privilege or oppression. Intersectionality emphasizes the significance of considering the intersection of these identities rather than each factor alone in order to understand a person’s social location and personal experiences.

A framework for understanding how identities can overlap, including those related to ability, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, nationality, and religion.

The convergence of multiple social and political identities for an individual or group that can impact life outcomes.

Is the integrated and interconnected socially ascribed labels of classifications such as gender, class, and race when they are applied to either individuals or collective groups of people which may intentionally or unintentionally lead to marginalization and/or stigma.

The interconnected nature of social categories, such as gender and ethnicity, creates overlapping and unique forms of discrimination or privilege that influence individuals' experiences and identities.

A term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to name the overlapping and cumulative nature of multiple inequalities (e.g. racism, ableism, cissexism, classism) on marginalized individuals.

Overlapping of social categorizations of identity.

A theoretical framework that considers multiple dimensions of individuals’ lives, emphasizing that experiences may vary based on the overlapping nature of individuals’ social identities.

The examination of, but not limited to, race, sex, class, national origin, rurality, and sexual orientation, and how these various combinations play out in various settings (UCLA School of Public Affairs: Critical Race Studies, 2014 AU182: The in-text citation "Critical Race Studies, 2014" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).

A term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 to refer to how a person’s many identities converge and is often applied in politicized environments.

A lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It is a lens, a prism, for seeing the way in which various forms of inequality often operate together and exacerbate each other. -Kimberle Crenshaw

The simultaneous interactions of identity categories such as race, class, and gender that shape the experiences of individuals in social systems.

Understanding of how an individual’s identities connect, with potentially compounding effects as they are viewed through a lens of power and privilege.

A lens for seeing how various forms of inequity such as class, gender, sexuality, race, and nationality interact with each other.

Intersectionality is a concept developed by Crenshaw (1991) which espouses the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group (National Conference for Community and Justice, 2021 AU84: The in-text citation "Community and Justice, 2021" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).

Denoting the various ways in which race and gender interact to shape the multiple dimensions of Black women's employment experiences.

Intersectionality is a framework that acknowledges overlapping oppression across race, gender, sex, class, and other social identities.

The nature of interconnected social identities such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, and gender as they form interdependent systems of oppression.

The interconnectedness of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

A term coined by Kimberly Crenshaw, but historically discussed by many Black feminist scholars and thinkers such as Ida B. Wells, bell hooks, Patricia Hill Collings and more. It is the consideration of multiple identities that compound the experience of oppression for one person. It is an analysis of systems of oppression across structures, identities, and time and geography.

A term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw to recognize the multiple types of oppression experienced.

The indivisible interconnectedness and influences of cultural identities.

The interaction of many types of oppression in social systems ( Cho et al., 2013 ).

Intesectionality concerns the inter-related nature of social categories such as race, class, and gender, and the ways in which they overlap to create interdependent systems of oppression and discrimination. The term was coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in 1989.

The understanding of how multiple social and political identities combine to influence systems of inequality.

The intersection of identities that may compound discrimination or marginalization such as gender identity and expression, SES, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability status, and physical attributes.

Originally founded within Black feminist and critical race theories, intersectionality has been defined as the intersection of oppressive forces that lead to marginalization and contribute to explicit bias and discrimination. The term is often used within social justice research and may carry various contextual denotations and connotations in contemporary research.

recognition of the way different identities and forms of oppression, privilege, and/or identity overlap and interact. People are influenced by numerous dimensions of identities that change in different contexts and interact with each other at different times in various ways.

Interrelated social classifications such as race and gender as they apply to an individual or group, creating interrelating and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

A method to conceptualize identity groups affected by numerous discriminatory and disadvantageous treatment.

Intersectionality is a methodological approach that takes into consideration the simultaneous effects of multiple social identities (e.g. race, gender, class, ethnicity, immigrant status) and their interactions with systems of oppression and discrimination.

A critical race theory idea created by Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989 aimed to explain how oppressed people are.

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Cultural categories that intersect and/or overlap, reinforcing one another.

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, ability etc. as they apply to a given individual or group, creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

Term used to describe how a learner could fit into more than one of UNICEF LACRO’s definitions of a most vulnerable learner (see entry below), such as a learner who is both a girl and a migrant/refugee or an indigenous learner with special needs living in a rural area without internet.

The ways in which interlocking oppressions such as race, class, gender, sexuality work together to compound inequities and discrimination.

A noun phrase grounded in social justice research and ideology that refers to a person’s lived experiences made up of, but not limited to, race, assigned sex, sexual identity, gender identity, and socioeconomic background. The noun refers often to a person’s institutional in/access based on these factors.

A critical theoretical approach to examining how the intersections of social and cultural status, including, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion result in varied, and “different” experiences for individuals.

Refers to the interconnections between multiple identities (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, and sexuality) and experiences of exclusion.

The consequences of being discriminated against for more than one identity category and the intragroup differences that lead to multifaceted forms of discrimination.

Intersectionality is a framework that accounts for the interconnected advantage and privilege, discrimination and oppression based on multiple social categories such as race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, etc.

A term coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw that speaks to the ways identities intersect with one another. Intersectionality allows us to consider how people can experience multiple forms of oppression simultaneously in ways that are inseparable from each other.

The way in which socio-cultural factors overlap so that none of them should be seen in isolation.

The experience of individuals who identify at the intersection of multiply marginalized identities such as woman, disabled, or black.

A concept that highlights how various social identities (such as gender, race, class, etc.) intersect and interact, leading to unique experiences of privilege and oppression.

A framework for understanding how the interrelation of identities (such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, nationality, religion, ability, and age) can overlap.

Critical race theory and feminist theory gave rise to the idea of intersectionality, which says that people's experiences of discrimination and abuse are shaped by how their race, gender, class, sexuality, and ability interact with each other. In this way, it shows how these identities are linked and how important it is to think about how different kinds of advantage and disadvantage affect people's lives and chances.

It means that the classifications leading to negative discrimination are interrelated. Accordingly, the identity of women (slaves, workers) separates them from each other and sometimes even causes them to contradict each other.

Examining social institutions and everyday social interactions based on identities such as race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and ability.

A conceptual, methodological, and practical approach that examines the ways in which race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexuality and other factors converge and how power, privilege, and oppression emerge impact individuals and societies and impact social, economic, historical, and political contexts in ways that privilege and oppress. This approach examines race, class, gender, and sexuality in a manner that sees these factors as fluid and simultaneous.

The interconnectedness of social categories such as race, class, gender, and sexuality as they apply to a given individual or group. These categories create overlapping systems of privilege, power, discrimination, and oppression.

A way to understand and analyze multiple systems of oppression.

A place that two or more populations meet. A place, circumstance, or result that is common.

Connected system of societal categories (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, etc.) that contribute to the discrimination and unequal treatment individuals face.

It is the concept of several factors or axes overlapping and interconnecting to create a series of disadvantages to a group of people. Knowledge of this theory prepares individuals and groups to better deal with factors that adversely affect them in a meaningful manner.

A concept grounded in Black Feminism, and a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, illustrates the idea of multiple marginalization or, what happens when an individual’s identities face varying levels of oppression. For example, rather than examining race and gender as single issues, intersectionality examines the interconnections between race and gender and the joint impacts of race and gender on discrimination (so that being a black woman is not just being black and being a woman).

A multidimensional approach to social inequalities (including gender inequalities) based on taking into consideration many categories of analysis-sex, gender together with age, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and educational background, among others).

Refers to the convergence or intersection of race, gender, and social class; denotes the various ways these social constructs interact and shape multiple dimensions of Black women’s experiences (Crenshaw, 1989).

The intersection of multiple social identities including gender, race, social class, and national origin. This concept was developed by Black feminist response to the limitations of the accumulated disadvantage model ( Mullings, 1997 ) and the recognition that the intersections of gender with other dimensions of social identity are the starting point of theory (Crenshaw, 1994 AU30: The in-text citation "Crenshaw, 1994" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. , 2005 AU31: The in-text citation "Crenshaw 2005" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. ).