Triple Marginalisation: An Intersectional Study of Caste, Class, and Gender Among Tribal Women in Madhya Pradesh

Dr. Rituraj Trivedi ¹ and Jahnvi Singh ²   

  ¹    Assistant Professor, Department of English & Foreign Languages, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak- 484887, M.P.

E-mail: riturajtrivedi.bog@gmail.com

 ²     Research Scholar, Department of English & Foreign Languages, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak- 484887, M.P.

E-mail: jahnvibanapher@gmail.com

Corresponding author: Dr. Rituraj Trivedi

Issue: Volume 2 No. 2 (June 2026) Anubodhan

Received: 27 June 2026 / Accepted: 30 June 2026 / Published: 30 June 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n2.2026.080

Abstract

This research paper explores the idea of triple marginalisation through an intersectional framework of caste, class and gender for tribal women in Madhya Pradesh. Tribal women in India are situated at a point of intersection where class, caste, and gender intersect to affect outcomes. Tribal communities are often considered socially apart from the caste system, yet are marginalised within socioeconomic structures. This study demonstrates the multidimensional inequalities faced by tribal women – economic disadvantage (class), social exclusion (caste-like discrimination) and patriarchal constraints (gender).

     Using intersectionality as a conceptual framework, the research examines how these intersecting identities compound vulnerabilities in education, health, work and politics. It suggests that development initiatives often overlook the intersecting nature of these forms of disadvantage and tend to homogenise tribal women. Using qualitative methods such as case studies and secondary data, this paper shows how institutional oversight, cultural constraints, and resource constraints perpetuate marginalisation.

The research paper also highlights the capabilities of tribal women, who cope and contest these limitations in multiple ways. It raises their voices and experiences and suggests the need for more responsive, contextual policy approaches. It finds that to tackle triple marginalisation, a multi-faceted approach is needed that combines social justice, gender justice and economic empowerment for inclusive development of tribal women.

Keywords: Triple marginalisation, Intersectional, Multidimensional inequalities, Homogenise tribal women.

How to cite: Trivedi, R. & Singh, J. (2026). Triple Marginalisation: An Intersectional Study of Caste, Class, and Gender Among Tribal Women in Madhya Pradesh. Anubodhan, 2(2), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.65885/anubodhan.v2n2.2026.080