Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

A billion to join dance against rape

Thursday's worldwide event is to be a 'feminist tsunami' against violence

Jane Merrick
Sunday 10 February 2013 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

On Valentine's Day this Thursday, one billion people across the planet will join a "feminist tsunami" by dancing to raise awareness at the shocking numbers of women and girls who are raped or abused in their lifetime.

The brainchild of campaigner Eve Ensler, the One Billion Rising movement – referring to the number of women and young girls alive today who will be raped or attacked – is supported by Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in the United States, as well as by high-profile women in the UK. Women in 190 countries have already signed up, including 25 million in Bangladesh.

On Thursday the actress Thandie Newton will lead a flashmob of dancers outside Parliament. MPs, led by Stella Creasy for Labour and Amber Rudd for the Conservatives, will debate a motion calling for new laws to make personal, social and health education, including a zero-tolerance approach to violence and abuse in relationships, a requirement in schools. Ms Creasy said it was time for women of her generation to "pick up where our mothers' generation left off" and that sometimes it was as if feminism had taken a "step back". Here are the voices of just eight of the one billion...

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in