Strategies
Women’s movements continuously adapt their strategies in response to various factors. Initially, efforts to highlight violence against women and girls (VAWG) were informal, grassroots, and sometimes clandestine—like poster-making in India and small gatherings in homes. Later, these movements collaborated with researchers to demonstrate the scale and impact of VAWG to governments. For example, in 1995, "Confites en el infierno" ("Candies in Hell") was the first study measuring intimate partner violence in Nicaragua, accompanied by awareness campaigns and promoting multisectoral efforts
Across countries, specific VAWG cases have ignited mass protests and spurred legislative changes. The Mathura case in India sparked a movement against rape that remains active even 50 years later.
Despite strong leadership and successes, patriarchal systems still hinder women's meaningful participation, keeping them on the socio-political margins. In post-apartheid South Africa, women were often alienated from political processes, with their critical issues dismissed as "soft" politics. In Nicaragua, since the onset of repression in 2018, feminist organizations have faced direct aggression, forcing the broader women’s movement to operate clandestinely.
Space is a source of power for women's movements. Physical spaces have become unsafe, leading movements to go underground or shift to online platforms. Regaining and fighting for space remains crucial, as these spaces are often taken away, highlighting the ongoing struggle for visibility and influence.