Women join forces to assert equality

In Celtic tradition, this time of year was known as Imbolc, celebrated as a time of new beginnings, as the earth slowly reawakened. It was a festival that was sacred to love and especially women.

Today, of course, it’s all about hearts, flowers, giant boxes of beribboned chocolates and a field day for Hallmark and other makers of cards. But this year One Billion Rising, a global campaign initiated by playwright and activist Eve Ensler, takes a more considered look at the sombre reality many woman face and calls for an end to violence and for justice and gender equality.

A one-day event will be held today, calling 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; 160 countries have signed up to take part in the campaign.