ABSTRACT
Intersectionality, introduced by Kimberle Crenshaw, recognises that individuals may experience overlapping forms of discrimination arising from their gender, ethnicity, religion, class, language, and other social markers. In higher education, these intersecting identities can create distinct experiences for women, influencing both their exposure to marginalisation and their overall life satisfaction. This study examines how the intersectional identities of female students in Bangalore's higher education institutions relate to their perceived marginalisation—measured through major discrimination experiences, everyday discrimination, and heightened vigilance—and how this, in turn, affects their life satisfaction. A stratified sample of 400 participants, representing varied socio-demographic backgrounds, was surveyed. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, which revealed two distinct clusters of intersectional identity, each displaying significant differences in levels of perceived marginalisation and life satisfaction. Regression and mediation analyses confirmed that perceived marginalisation partially mediates the relationship between intersectional identity and life satisfaction. These results emphasise that women in higher education do not share a single, uniform experience and that effective interventions must account for the different, intersecting factors shaping their academic and personal lives.
