Reese Witherspoon campaigns against domestic violence

Reese Witherspoon, puts the Women’s Empowerment bracelet on Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes, who pioneered the fight against domestic violence in Brazil

Reese Witherspoon spoke in Brazil yesterday to raise awareness of women affected by domestic violence. The star of the “Legally Blonde” films and an Oscar winner for her role in “Walk the Line,” is touring the South American country as part of her duties as the global ambassador of Speak Out Against Domestic Violence campaign. The initiative was started by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the Avon cosmetics company in 2004.

And Witherspoon is hoping her involvement will help raise awareness on the abuse of women – insisting she herself has been close to people who were the victims of domestic violence.  She told reporters in Sao Paulo on Thursday, that one woman in three in the world is affected by domestic violence:
“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.” And the star stated she felt motivated to help with the cause as the issue affects so many types of people.

Reese added as part of her speech: “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.”

AFP