WASHINGTON -- Songstress Fergie says the number of women who are abused by their partners "is totally unacceptable" and should be protected by existing laws that are often not enforced.
The Black Eyed Peas singer was at the State Department on Thursday to announce a new Justice Institute on Gender-Based Violence initiative to launch training programs in four countries: India, Nepal, South Africa and Mexico.
The training will bring together law enforcement, service providers and advocacy groups to ensure that abused women can rely on laws that too often are not understood by local authorities or ignored.
Avon Products Inc. is funding the four training centres for $650,000. Fergie is a Women Global Ambassador for the Avon Foundation.
One in three women worldwide will be abused by their partners during their lives.
