SIR Elton John and Jessie J are among more than 70 celebrities who have urged world leaders to tackle poverty by addressing gender inequality.

The pop stars joined U2 singer Bono, boxer Muhammad Ali and actress Charlize Theron in adding their voices to the call by the ONE Campaign ahead of International Women’s Day.

In an open letter to government, the campaigners said “poverty is sexist” and some 155 countries have laws which discriminate against women.

The letter said: “Nowhere on earth do women have as many opportunities as men. Nowhere.

“While the debate around this truth rages everywhere, girls and women living in extreme poverty, those often hardest hit by the injustice of gender inequality, have been left out of the conversation.

“This must change. The fight for gender equity is global.”

The ONE Campaign is co-founded by Bono.

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