The Avon Foundation for Women, Brazil’s Avon Institute and Vital Voices launched the second global summit of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women. The summit takes place at the start of the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence in Brasilia, Brazil.

The three-day Global Partnership Summit drew international experts who are leading efforts to prevent and respond to the most pervasive forms of violence against women – domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It was first created in 2010, as a cross-sector partnership among Vital Voices Global Partnership, the United States Department of State, and Avon and the Avon Foundation for Women, which funded the creation of the Global Partnership.

The opening forum featured remarks from Thomas Shannon, U.S. Ambassador; Eleonora Menicucci, Brazilian minister of women’s policy; Sheri S. McCoy, chairman and CEO, Avon Products; and Alyse Nelson, president and CEO Vital Voices; and Luiza Brunet, Avon Institute ambassador.

“As the company for women, Avon is committed to ending the epidemic of violence against women and girls around the world. I am confident that the Second Global Summit will give participants innovative and compelling insights to further their work to break the cycle of violence for future generations,” said Avon CEO Sheri McCoy. McCoy announced the Avon Foundation will award a total of $100,000 to the most innovative project ideas that emerge from the summit’s deliberations.