Women around the world take part in One Billion Rising global action

Day of action round the world to raise awareness of violence against women

Flash mobs and protests are taking place round the world today to raise awareness of violence against women, as part of the One Billion Rising campaign.

The campaign came from the shocking statistic that one in three women in the world, or one billion women in total, fall victim to violence at some point in their lifetime.

Today's action to 'reclaim Valentine's Day' is spearheaded by the V Day charity, started by Vagina Monologues playwright and campaigner Eve Ensler.

The campaign was kick-started in New Zealand with Moari women in Auckland leading a mass healing.

Mass rallies took place in India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, while in the UK the focus is on changing sex education to teaching young people about what is appropriate and what is abuse. A vote is expected in the House of Commons today on putting 'zero tolerance approach to violence and abuse in relationships' on the curriculum.

One Billion Rising campaigners say the events todays are the culmination of a year's worth of workshops and debate, and they hope this is just the beginning.

'It will change the world because the preparation for it and organising for it has already created an energetic wind or wave igniting existing efforts to end violence against women and create new ones', Ensler says.

You can watch the live stream here.

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