GUE/NGL MEPs have come out in support of the 'One Billion Rising' movement, a global initiative that aims to get one billion people to demand an end to all forms of violence against women and girls.

Today, as part of the global campaign, flash mob-style dance protests are taking place the world over.

"One in three women in the world will be raped or beaten during her lifetime. That's a total of more than 1 billion women. By participating in One Billion Rising we as MEPs express our solidarity with the victims," commented GUE/NGL MEP Kartika Liotard, a member of the EP's Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee. "The campaign also calls on national and European policymakers to play a role in preventing all forms of violence against women and girls, as well as forms of violence such as smuggling and circumcision of girls."

On 29 January GUE/NGL President Gabi Zimmer and MEPs Mikael Gustafsson (Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee Chair), Kartika Liotard, Martina Anderson, Marisa Matias and Alda Sousa all took part in a special MEP One Billion Rising dance in the European Parliament as part of the lead up to today's main event.

Watch the One Billion Rising Flashmob at the European Parliament:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-rAFkQVyFo