“Her Vote, Her Voice”

Violence against women, especially in the context of rural women’s voting rights, is a deeply entrenched issue rooted in patriarchal structures, lack of education, political marginalization, and misinformation. In many rural areas, women are discouraged – often violently- from participating in electoral processes due to gender norms, familial pressures, community expectations, or even direct intimidation by political actors. Rural women are often targeted with false narratives – such as being told that voting is a male prerogative, that their vote will be exposed publicly, or that voting will bring shame or harm to their families. Access to trustworthy media is limited, and many rural women are excluded from digital spaces. Violence against women voters is often underreported and under-addressed. Even when women face misinformation or threats, they lack platforms to report or discuss them. Policymakers and election bodies may not prioritize rural women’s safety or voting rights due to lack of visibility. Women often rely on family or male community members for information, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation. Many rural women and their families are unaware that denying someone the right to vote or threatening them is a criminal offense.