Violence against rural women: conceptions of professionals in the intersectoral network of care

Introduction: Violence against women in both rural and urban areas requires the coordination of different sectors through a network of care. Objective: To know the conceptions of professionals of the care network about violence against rural women. Method: Qualitative research carried out with 26 professionals from the network of care to rural women in situations of violence in four cities of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. Data were generated semi-structured interviews and analyzed using the thematic content analysis. Results: Professionals related violence against rural women to cultural, generational and gender heterogeneities, which makes violence natural. They pointed to the different types of violence experienced, either physical, psychological, moral, and sexual violence, dependence, deprivation of liberty and intense work hours. Conclusions: The findings reinforce the gender inequalities that perpetuate the subjugation and submission of rural women.