Emma Watson to campaign for girls as UN Goodwill Ambassador
Girls' education
Harry Potter star Emma Watson will campaign for the empowerment of girls and young women in her new role as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador.
The British actress said she was excited 鈥渂y the chance to make a real difference鈥 in the lives of females who are often denied access to basic education and health care.
Emma will serve as an advocate for UN Women's , which calls on men and boys to stand up against the unequalities faced by girls and women across the world.
In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, almost two in three out-of-school girls will never go to school. Many miss out because of discrimination, having to work or forced early marriage.
The film star has been involved with the promotion of girls鈥 education for several years and visited Bangladesh and Zambia as part of her humanitarian efforts.
Emma said: 鈥淏eing asked聽to serve as UN Women鈥檚 Goodwill Ambassador is truly humbling. The chance to make a real difference is not an opportunity that everyone is given and is one聽I have no intention of taking聽lightly.聽
鈥淲omen鈥檚 rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life聽that聽I can鈥檛 imagine an opportunity more exciting. I still have so much to learn but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge,聽experience聽and awareness to this role.鈥
Emma 鈥 who graduated recently from Brown University in the United States 鈥 is the first Goodwill Ambassador to be appointed by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women.聽
She said:聽鈥淲e are thrilled and honoured to work with Emma, whom we believe embodies the values of UN Women
鈥淭he engagement of young people is critical for the advancement of gender equality in the 21st century and I am convinced that Emma鈥檚 intellect and passion will enable UN Women鈥檚 messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally.鈥
More news
