AceShowbiz - Stars including Annie Lennox, Corinne Bailey Rae and Kate Nash have written an open letter to U.K. government officials in a bid to end violence towards women. Stella McCartney, Samantha Morton and Dame Vivienne Westwood have also lent their support to the ActionAid UK campaign, which aims to stop female abuse.

The group is urging the government to make the issue a "foreign policy priority" following the appointment of a new minister to tackle global violence against women and girls. The letter states, "Violence affects one in three women globally and is a leading cause of death and disability among women of all ages.

"The U.K. has taken an important first step with the introduction of a new ministerial post to lead on global violence against women and girls... However, this post needs to become a permanent fixture of the U.K. Government with adequate resources to make a real difference for women."

"We, the under-signed, support ActionAid UK's campaign to make ending violence against women a foreign policy priority. All of the political parties have said they are serious about tackling violence against women internationally but words must be backed up with action."