Women are treated badly in developing countries, says Annie Lennox

Scottish singer Annie Lennox has admitted she had a 'wake-up call' when visiting developing countries.

The 56-year-old is doing her best to raise awareness of International Women's Day, which takes place annually on March 8 and aims to celebrate female achievements in the spheres of economics, politics and social changes.

Annie is well-known for her charity work, and this year she has visited developing countries such as Malawi in Africa, which made her realize there is still so much to be done in the realm of women's rights across the globe.

"My wake-up call came when I was visiting developing countries, where I saw women who weren't even near the bottom rung of the ladder and I realised women were being treated so badly and there were so many issues," Stuff.co.nz quoted her as telling British daytime television show This Morning.

"I do sometimes want time to myself but I am so motivated, I am so fortunate in my life. My children are more adult now and they are healthy. As a mother it is such a privilege to have healthy children and I feel so passionately about that and in my lifetime I want to help women move forward," she said.

"I don't do what I do to get awards. I want to be a voice for women who don't have a voice and don't have anywhere to go. I want to encourage them to make the transformation in their lifetime," added Annie.