Witherspoon Speaks Out In Brazil

Actress Reese Witherspoon visited the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo last week to show her dedication to ending violence against women.

The Legally Blonde star is the ambassador for Speak Out Against Domestic Violence, a joint campaign launched in 2004 by UNIFEM and Avon.

In March of this year she launched the campaign’s Women’s Empowerment Bracelet, an emblem in the fight against domestic violence, created to raise awareness about the need to speak out. Proceeds from the sale of the bracelets go to the Avon Empowerment Fund, which provides funding for UNIFEM and its UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

Witherspoon’s appearance in the South American country on Thursday was in celebration of the bracelet’s success since its launch: 1.5 million have been sold so far. The Avon Foundation matched the first $500,000 in sales to make a total of $1 million given to helping people speak out and stop the abuse.

Speaking to reporters in Sao Paulo, the actress said, “There isn’t a woman in the world that doesn’t have a friend or a partner who’s actually experiencing some sort of violence against them, so I think although domestic violence hasn’t happened to me personally, I certainly know women who are dealing with this struggle every day. Domestic violence affects women who are famous, who are not famous, women who have money, women who have no money. This is an issue that crosses all boundaries and it certainly affects everyone.”

To purchase a bracelet and show your support, visit the Avon Foundation online.