Avon ambassador Reese heads to Brazil

SAO PAULO, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon is visiting Brazil this week to spread a message of female empowerment, Avon announced.

The Oscar-winning star of "Walk the Line" and "Legally Blonde" is an Avon global ambassador.

As such, Witherspoon is traveling to Sao Paulo to celebrate the success of the company's first global fund-raising product, the Women's Empowerment Bracelet, 1.5 million of which have been sold since being introduced in March, Avon said.

Joining Witherspoon will be Nilceia Freire, Brazil's federal secretary for Women Policies; Ana Falu, UNIFEM regional director for the Southern Cone; and biochemist and domestic violence survivor Maria da Penha.

"The Avon Women's Empowerment Bracelet was created to raise awareness about the need to speak out against the violence that affects women globally," the company said in a news release.

Proceeds from the sale of the bracelets are to go to the Avon Empowerment Fund, which will contribute to the UNIFEM-managed U.N.Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, Avon said.