There is a link between violence in the local communities and the unequal distribution of power between the genders, as well as traditional gender norms and education in society as a whole. Larger-scale interests, structures, laws and developments have an impact on local conditions. It is therefore not enough to confine activities to one district. A broader base, cooperation and alliances are needed, not least to gain momentum for the development of one's own work and, importantly, to gain resources for StoP work locally. Social change for social justice and liberation is driven by the indignation of disadvantaged people at prevailing conditions, the desire for a better life, visions, new ideas and the power to implement them. An important source of power is people, acting together in an organised way.

This is about political campaigning and coalition building, lobbying and fundraising. There are many publications and toolkits that we can use in our Stop work. The methods you choose will depend on your exact goals. In order to achieve anything, it is necessary to cooperate and form alliances with other groups, organisations, social movements and influential people (celebrities, politicians) with whom there is an overlap in content. In the case of StoP, this includes anyone working on gender equality issues, from pro-choice to equal pay, as well as specific violence issues such as femicide, sexualised violence, partner violence and trafficking in women. Possible are also groups and individuals working on health issues and also social urban development, which includes security in the sense of non-violent conditions. Alliances can be informal or formalised, for example by writing and signing agreements on cooperation, roles and responsibilities, or by a local StoP group becoming a formal member of a larger organisation, which is likely to involve costs (membership fees). However, StoP groups need to prioritize their available resources, so they should not get bogged down. 

Making an issue visible and raising public awareness of an issue such as gender-based violence is important for achieving goals, but it is not enough as we are living in an attention economy. Attention is fleeting and does not necessarily bring about the desired change (Han 2022). 

A whole range of actions and resources are required. The good thing is that there is a wide range of skills and talents needed, so many people can get involved and be part of it. Depending on the approach chosen by the Stop Group or Alliance, there are many different tasks and implementation steps, for which you can find more detailed information in the links provided. 

spreading information, raising awareness and making contacts through poster campaigns, social media posts, studies, interviews and articles in (specialist) journals, online and offline, conferences, webinars, training, one-to-one meetings. Targeted lobbying through contacts and meetings with decision makers and providing expert opinions, studies and research reports, as well as concepts, ideas, statements and formulations for consultations and legislation that affect the StoP issue. Direct public action, from street theatre, vigils, blockades, pickets to demonstrations and petitions. For example, every year on the 14th, dance performances called 'One Billion Rising' take place in many places around the world. In the weeks leading up to the event, Stop groups and many others meet for workshops to practice the dance. 

As a Stop organiser, it is important to clarify your own role in these processes: as a general rule, paid staff tend to work in the background, while people from the neighbourhood, Stop groups and networks are empowered to take action. The principles of democratisation and participation are essential. Working in coalitions and lobbying requires confidence, expertise and communication skills from both the StoP professionals and the StoP community activists – and these need to be practised. It is probably a good idea to appear together at alliance meetings and discussions, at least while the community ativists feel insecure. 

This depends on the occasion and cannot be generalised. For example, if actions are planned for 25th of November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, or for Women's Day on 8th of March, there will be alliances that meet sporadically and alliances that meet regularly between monthly and weekly meetings close to the date. Depending on the size of the action, whether it is a demonstration, a performance, a vigil or a press conference, thousands or just half a dozen participants are needed.