A women’s rights charity has won a national award for its work to prevent domestic violence and forced marriages.

The Jan Trust, based in Wood Green, was awarded the Centre of Social Justice (CSJ) Award 2013 for empowering women to take more active control of their lives.

Members received the award at the ninth-annual awards ceremony at the Royal Horticultural Halls in central London on November 7.

The prize recognises grass-roots charities and voluntary organisations from across the UK that are effectively working to combat poverty.

More than 350 people attended the awards including actor Neil Morrissey and broadcasters Esther Rantzen and Davina McCall.

The evening ended with a speech by the Minister for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith MP, who is a founder and patron of the CSJ.

The award was presented to the Jan Trust by the hairstylist John Frieda.

Sajda Mughal, projects director of the trust, said: “We are honoured to have won the Centre of Social Justice Award 2013.

“For over twenty years we have worked with over 50,000 women.

“With an increased recognition of their needs, we hope that our work will continue with even greater pace and effectiveness.”