Author: Dr. Arfi Anjoon
Abstract: Women’s empowerment is a multidimensional process influenced by the intersections of gender, class, and cultural contexts. Intersectionality, a concept introduced by Crenshaw (1991), provides a critical lens for understanding how overlapping social identities shape experiences of discrimination, privilege, and agency. This paper examines women’s empowerment through an intersectional framework, exploring how gender interacts with socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and cultural norms to affect women’s autonomy in education, economic participation, and political engagement. Using a qualitative research approach, the study draws upon secondary data, feminist theory, and social justice literature to analyze structural, relational, and cultural determinants of empowerment. The findings indicate that empowerment initiatives are most effective when they address multiple intersecting barriers rather than focusing on gender alone. The study underscores the importance of context-sensitive, inclusive policies that recognize diversity among women and advocate for equity in social, economic, and political spheres.
Keywords: Intersectionality, Women’s Empowerment, Gender, Class, Cultural Dimensions, Social Justice.
Page No: 161-167