One Billion Rising

One Billion Rising is a global campaign by women, for women. The movement calls for an end to violence, and for justice and gender equality.

On February 14, 2013, a one-day event will be held, a call for one billion women around the world to walk away from their homes, businesses, and jobs, and join together to dance in a show of collective strength. The event will be held on the 15th anniversary of the V-Day movement. The word "billion" refers to the one billion women who are survivors of abuse.

As of September 20, 2012, people from 160 countries have signed up to take part in the campaign.

The campaign was initiated by playwright and activist Eve Ensler (known for her play The Vagina Monologues), and her organization V-Day. The campaign was in part inspired by the Todd Akin 'legitimate rape' and pregnancy comment controversy. Ensler, shocked at Akin's statement, wrote an open letter in response.

Around 5,000 organizations have joined the campaign, which has also been aided or endorsed by religious ministers, movement builders, actors Rosario Dawson, Robert Redford, and Stella Creasy, British Labour Co-operative politician.