Page 29 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

• Geographical barriers: Individuals living in remote or rural areas, small

islands, peripheral/outermost regions, urban suburbs, less developed areas
(limited public transport, poor facilities), or less developed areas in third-

world countries, etc., may face challenges in accessing higher education.
Another important concept to consider when discussing the creation of a more
inclusive social dimension of higher education is intersectionality. Coined by

Kimberlé Crenshaw, the term intersectionality refers to "the complex, cumulative
way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism,
sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect, especially in the experiences

of marginalised individuals or groups" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.). In
other words, intersectionality acknowledges the interconnectedness and interplay
of various aspects of one's identity, resulting in a unique and complex experience

that goes beyond simply combining multiple forms of discrimination. It recognises
that experiencing discrimination on multiple bases creates specific challenges that

are distinct from those arising from individual forms of discrimination.

For example, a person with disabilities who belongs to the majority ethnic/racial
group might feel comfortable seeking support to overcome barriers related to their

disability. However, a person with disabilities from a minority ethnic/racial group
might hesitate to seek support for their disability-related challenges due to the fear
of facing discrimination based on their ethnicity/race.
3

In 2014, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Strategy of Education, Science and
Technology, which emphasises that "the inclusion of underrepresented persons in

the system of higher education is one of the priorities for the development of the
Croatian education system" (Objective no. 6.). The strategy outlines various tasks

3 This is a simplified example of intersectionality, which is a complex concept and cannot
be adequately described in a few paragraphs.
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