<p>The rally comes in the wake of weeks of lurid reporting on the women at the centre of investigations into the embattled leader -- and Berlusconi's own controversial comments in his defence.<br /><br />Today's event has been organised by sisters Francesca and Cristina Comencini, both actresses, who argue that Berlusconi himself is part of the problem. "Berlusconi has long shown a violent contempt for women with his misogynist remarks," Francesca Comencini said.<br /><br />The Italian leader is fighting off allegations that he paid for sex with disco dancer Ruby, real name Karima El Mahroug, when she was a minor. While he denies ever having done so, many people have been offended by his manner of defending himself.<br /><br />"I have never paid a woman," Berlusconi said in one interview last year.<br /><br />"I have never seen the satisfaction that there could be in it without the pleasure of conquest."<br /><br />And in a speech in November he remarked: "It's better to be passionate about beautiful women than to be gay." A video on Youtube calls on women to join Sunday's demonstrations as well as the flash-mobs and non-stop lectures that will be held on Sunday in Milan, Rome and hundreds of towns across the country. Men who support the cause are also welcome.</p>
<p>The rally comes in the wake of weeks of lurid reporting on the women at the centre of investigations into the embattled leader -- and Berlusconi's own controversial comments in his defence.<br /><br />Today's event has been organised by sisters Francesca and Cristina Comencini, both actresses, who argue that Berlusconi himself is part of the problem. "Berlusconi has long shown a violent contempt for women with his misogynist remarks," Francesca Comencini said.<br /><br />The Italian leader is fighting off allegations that he paid for sex with disco dancer Ruby, real name Karima El Mahroug, when she was a minor. While he denies ever having done so, many people have been offended by his manner of defending himself.<br /><br />"I have never paid a woman," Berlusconi said in one interview last year.<br /><br />"I have never seen the satisfaction that there could be in it without the pleasure of conquest."<br /><br />And in a speech in November he remarked: "It's better to be passionate about beautiful women than to be gay." A video on Youtube calls on women to join Sunday's demonstrations as well as the flash-mobs and non-stop lectures that will be held on Sunday in Milan, Rome and hundreds of towns across the country. Men who support the cause are also welcome.</p>