NEW YORK, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Avon Products, Inc. and UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, Tuesday announced a public-private partnership to promote women's empowerment and end violence against women.

    Avon, a leading global beauty company with almost 10 billion U.S. dollars in annual revenue, also announced at the Global Summit for a Better Tomorrow held at the United Nations that it was committing 1 million dollars to the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.

    The contribution will be made through the Avon Empowerment Fund, which was launched the same day as part of the new Avon-UNIFEM partnership.

    Co-sponsored by UNIFEM and Avon, the summit focused on the tools and resources needed for women's empowerment around the world.

    "For more than 120 years, Avon has empowered women across the globe by providing them the opportunity to own their own business and achieve economic independence," said Andrea Jung, chairperson and chief executive officer of Avon.

    "We believe that by empowering women, we can help change the world and this commitment is imprinted on everything we do," she added.

    "Avon is proud to partner with UNIFEM, a leading organization dedicated to advancing the causes of women around the world," she said, adding that "we will continue this important agenda and create an even better future for women, for families and ultimately society at large."

    Joanne Sandler, UNIFEM executive director, said that an engaged and long-term partner helps UNIFEM fulfill its mission to advance women's empowerment and gender equality.

    "This public-private partnership brings a strong global leader in the private sector as a stalwart ally in our common efforts," she said.

    "Together, we can reach a broad international constituency, which is essential to advance women globally and make ending violence against women a top priority."

    The summit brought together some of the most influential and accomplished leaders and advocates in the area of global women's empowerment.

    To help raise both awareness and funds, award-winning actress and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon unveiled at the summit Avon's first global fundraising product, the Women's Empowerment Bracelet.

    Noting that one out of every three women in the world is affected by domestic violence, she said "I support Avon and UNIFEM wholeheartedly in their efforts to put an end to this global epidemic."

    The UN Trust Fund is in its eleventh year of operation and to date has distributed nearly 18 million dollars to 250 innovative programs addressing violence against women in more than 120 countries.