Nick today gave his full support to International Women’s Day and pledged to continue the Government’s work to end violence and abuse against women.

Today is the centenary of International Women’s Day, which seeks to highlight and celebrate the achievements of women, both past and present, across the world. Nick pointed out that Greenwich boasts none other than Elizabeth Tudor, who was born in the old palace of Placentia on the site that of the Royal Naval College, who went on to become one of England’s most famous and successful monarchs.

Nick also recently met with John Roan students to discuss their work to highlight the problems of forced marriage.

Year 10 students Gina Harris, Daisy Hulcup, Jade Richards and Anna Warren, are running a campaign in their school to spread awareness of forced marriage in the UK. The students have produced information posters and spent a day with their hands tied to fellow schoolmates to demonstrate the lack of a voice many young people have when a marriage is being arranged for them by their family.

The students have been raising money to donate to the charity Karma Nirvana. Nick has agreed to write a supportive letter to the charity, which supports victims of forced marriage, to offer his assistance in any representations they make to the Government.

Nick says: ‘Forced marriage is an appalling and indefensible practice. Since coming to power, the Government has been determined to protect the vulnerable and to support victims of violence and forced marriage. I voted strongly in favour of legislation to protect victims of forced marriage and fully support the establishment of specialist domestic violence courts, rape centres and the new Forced Marriage Unit, which gives advice and support in response to approximately 5,000 enquiries per year. International Women's Day may be a day of global celebration, but there is no room for complacency as women continue to face injustice and discrimination on many fronts. I am determined to continue working with the Government and agencies like Karma Nirvana to tackle this inequity’.