UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- UN Women, the United Nations body that focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment, has appointed a Bollywood superstar as its first ever male Goodwill Ambassador, UN officials confirmed here Thursday.
Indian superstar Farhan Akhtar was named as the UN Women ambassador, who will focus his efforts on South Asia.
"We are pleased and honored to have Farhan as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, for we believe his work and values represent the core values of UN Women," UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, announced Thursday during her visit to Mumbai, India.
"Farhan started his own campaign, MARD -- Men Against Rape and Discrimination -- that aims to sensitize men and create awareness about the safety of women. That kind of engagement is essential," Mlambo-Ngcuka continued.
"We need creative and committed men like Farhan to push the gender equality and women's empowerment agenda," she said.
Akhtar, renowned for his work as an actor, filmmaker and singer, will devote his efforts to promoting the empowerment of women and girls across South Asia.
In addition, he will also serve as an advocate for UN Women's newly launched HeForShe campaign -- an initiative aimed at placing men at the center of activism and dialogue to end persistent inequalities faced by women and girls around the world.
India and other countries in the South Asia region have witnessed a recent spate of high-profile instances of violence against women, including a series of brutal and fatal gang rapes.
Celebrating his new role, Akhtar said he would call on all men and boys to be "a catalyst for change" and help create "a value system to end gender disparity."
"I am honored to serve UN Women as the Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia," said Akhtar.
"This gives me and our MARD initiative an added impetus to work together towards a more gender equal India and world," he said.
"I am a supporter of UN Women's HeForShe campaign and the role men and boys can play in stopping crime against women and girls, and working towards gender equality," the Bollywood icon added.
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