Music stars such as Emeli Sandé and Sir Elton John have put their names behind an open letter to highlight the International Women's Day.

A host of famous faces - also including the likes of Katy B, Annie Lennox and Ghostpoet - signed a letter published by the Guardian to highlight the need to end "violence, rape and abuse".

They were joined by non-music celebrities such as Keira Knightley and Eddie Izzard in supporting the cause as the world pays tribute to International Women's Day today (March 8). The letter reads:

An abridged version of the letter reads: "Friday is the 102nd International Women's Day and women - and men - across the world will join their voices in unison to echo the same sentiment: We must all commit to end violence, rape and abuse...We can't continue to ignore the fact that women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria combined...Men and women have united to stand for equality and change...We stand collectively and say 'we won't accept violence'."