Update: 11:49AM AMERICAN award-winning actress Anne Hathaway has been appointed global Goodwill Ambassador by UN Women, the United Nations organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.
A UN Women statement released this morning mentioned Ms Hathaway as a committed voice for change when it comes to equality.
UN Women described Hathaway as a long-standing supporter of women’s and girls’ rights, who would put spotlight on the issue of the unequal burden of care work in the home as one of the key barriers to gender equality.
UN Women stated that Hathaway would be working internationally to advance the adoption and implementation of policies that would bring measurable change.
“These include affordable childcare services and shared parental leave at both government and corporate levels,” the statement revealed.
“The appointment of Anne is timely because this year UN Women is driving hard to foster more positive mindsets and practical arrangements around workplaces that build and support equality for women,” Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director said.
In the statement, Hathaway said she was honoured and inspired by the opportunity to aid in advancing gender equality.
“Significant progress has already been made but it is time that we collectively intensify our efforts and ensure that true equality is finally realised,” she was quoted as saying.
The actress has previously served as an advocate for Nike Foundation and travelled to Kenya and Ethiopia to raise awareness on child marriage.
In 2013, Hathaway provided the narration on “Girl Rising,” a CNN documentary film, which focused on the power of female education as it followed seven girls around the world who sought to overcome obstacles and follow their dreams.
Hathaway is famous for her roles in movies like Devil wears Prada, The Intern, The Princess Diaries, The Dark Knight Rises, Ella Enchanted, Interstellar and Les Miserables.
