Keira Knightley and Sir Elton John back International Women's Day

KEIRA KNIGHTLEY, SIR ELTON JOHN and NAOMIE HARRIS are among the stars who have signed an open letter calling for an end to violence against females as part of International Women's Day on Friday (08Mar13)

The stars have joined a group of high-profile celebrities in putting their names to a note, published in Britain's The Guardian newspaper, supporting the global initiative to highlight the struggle of women across the world.

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'."

Singers Annie Lennox and Emeli Sande, funnyman Eddie Izzard, actors Dominic Cooper and David Oyelowo, and Hollywood couple Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have also signed the letter.

A number of other stars have backed the cause by highlighting International Women's Day in posts on Twitter.com.

Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine, pop group The Wanted and rockers Paramore have all tweeted messages of support.