Voting Rights We Take For Granted: The Harsh Realities Women Face Globally

Voting rights in many parts of the world are limited, if at all, and is a right that we often take for granted.

However, for women in some countries, voting rights—and the mere desire to participate in political life—can lead to severe consequences, including harassment, imprisonment, or even death. While American women have had the right to vote for over a century, millions of women worldwide are still fighting for this basic freedom or face significant barriers when trying to exercise it.

Challenges and Consequences Women Face for Voting Globally

1. Afghanistan: Women in Afghanistan face significant risks when attempting to participate in elections. Although they have the right to vote, cultural barriers and threats from extremist groups severely limit their participation. Women who attempt to vote or run for office often face violence, including physical attacks, acid assaults, and threats against their families. The volatile political environment frequently pushes women to withdraw from public life altogether [oai_citation:5,Key facts about women’s suffrage around the world | Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/10/05/key-facts-about-womens-suffrage-around-the-world-a-century-after-u-s-ratified-19th-amendment/).

2. Saudi Arabia: Women in Saudi Arabia were only granted the right to vote and run in local elections in 2015, making it one of the last countries to enfranchise women. However, despite these rights, societal pressures, legal constraints, and threats of retaliation still discourage many from participating in the electoral process [oai_citation:4,Key facts about women’s suffrage around the world | Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/10/05/key-facts-about-womens-suffrage-around-the-world-a-century-after-u-s-ratified-19th-amendment/).

3. Iran: In Iran, women’s political participation is heavily restricted by stringent laws and social norms. Women face systemic barriers such as disqualification from running for certain positions, including the presidency. Additionally, they are often targeted by security forces during protests or advocacy for voting rights, facing arrests and imprisonment for their efforts to engage politically [oai_citation:3,We must dismantle barriers to women’s political participation. Here’s why | United Nations Development Programme](https://www.undp.org/blog/we-must-dismantle-barriers-womens-political-participation-heres-why).

4. Brunei: Brunei does not hold national elections, and the government tightly controls local political activities. Women’s political rights, including the right to vote, are limited, and those who push for political reform face severe consequences, including imprisonment and social ostracism [oai_citation:2,Key facts about women’s suffrage around the world | Pew Research Center](https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/10/05/key-facts-about-womens-suffrage-around-the-world-a-century-after-u-s-ratified-19th-amendment/).

5. Myanmar: In Myanmar, women who participate in political life or advocate for voting rights often face violent backlash. Political activists, including women, are frequently arrested, detained without trial, and subjected to harassment by the military government, making it perilous for women to engage in electoral politics [oai_citation:1,We must dismantle barriers to women’s political participation. Here’s why | United Nations Development Programme](https://www.undp.org/blog/we-must-dismantle-barriers-womens-political-participation-heres-why).

For many women who come to America from these countries, the right to vote is not just a civic duty—it’s a deeply personal freedom that represents safety, autonomy, and empowerment.

As an Election Presiding Judge, I’ve been moved by stories of women who cherish this right and remind us not to take it for granted.