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In the pursuit of inclusive and transformative research, engaging diverse voices from disadvantaged communities, especially the subaltern, is essential. Challenges, however, arise when key respondents choose not to speak. This article examines the complexities of voice refusal in water reform research in South Africa. Using a subaltern perspective, the article explores agency, methodological challenges, and the implications of voice refusal in disrupting dominant narratives around water access inequalities. It advocates for ethical research practices that respect participant autonomy, amplify marginalized perspectives, and enable the oppressed to express their conditions when given a safe and empowering platform.
Dube et al. (2025) studied this question.