A fashion show in aid of Amnesty International is being held on 8 March.

A collection of 30 caftans will be on show at 12.30 in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio.

The caftans, made by immigrant women living in Rome, will be auctioned to raise money for the Stop Violence Against Women campaign being run by Amnesty International.

The idea is to give a political twist to Womens Day on 8 March by putting the spotlight on the garment that is most commonly worn by people suffering from hunger and caught up in war. The caftan is by nature simple and dignified and worn by both men and women throughout the world.

This event is part of the Rome town halls two-year "Rome for Women 20042006" programme.

The Amnesty International Campaign aims to highlight the way we tolerate, justify and ignore violence against women.