PHD REJECTED EVERYWHERE

So yeah that is it. I am an Indian student and yes I was reaching with the college preferences a bit but rejections from EVERY SINGLE PLACE is not what I had in my mind. One feedback that stayed with me was that my background is not strong enough to study in interdisciplinary gender studies. Anyway, I studied English Literature at a top Indian university and performed exceptionally well (medals and such). After my masters, I have done research consultancies with trafficking victim groups, got two gender focused fellowships and some publications. I understand there is a dissonance in my BA MA degree and the PhD programs I am pursuing but it is not like unheard of. Could you suggest me how could I further strengthen my degrees or where exactly am I going wrong in this career trajectory. How to rectify my situation?