Emma Watson joins UN - as Goodwill Ambassador

Harry Potter star, Emma Watson, is set to become a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, the UN Under-Secretary-General confirmed on Monday.

In her new role, Watson will work to tackle pervasive inequality and disempowerment, which mar the day-to-day lives of countless females across the globe.

The UK actress and graduate of the prestigious Ivy League institution, Brown University, was appointed to the position by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka who serves as chief executive of UN Women.

NEWS: We're thrilled to announce the appointment of @EmWatson as our new Goodwill Ambassador! http://t.co/67erxNtLp7pic.twitter.com/28kQkRFM1s

— UN Women (@UN_Women) July 8, 2014

Mlambo-Ngcuka talked of Watson’s “intellect and passion” along with her experience of promoting female education in the Global South as making her a particularly worthy UN advocate.

“We are thrilled and honored to work with Emma, whom we believe embodies the values of UN Women,”she commented on Monday. Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted the critical nature of youth engagement in advancing gender equality and expressed confidence that Emma “will enable UN Women’s messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally.”

According to the UN Women’s official website, the organization campaigns tirelessly against gender-based discrimination and strives to create greater opportunity for women and young girls globally.

Overjoyed by the prospect of her new role, Watson stated: “Women’s rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can’t imagine an opportunity more exciting.”

Going to be working for the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and The Empowerment of Women (!!!) http://t.co/9ABpKSrNCb

— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) July 7, 2014

I still have so much to learn, but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience and awareness to this role,” she concluded.

The British actress will begin working as an advocate for the UN Women’s progressive HeForShe campaign, encouraging men and boys to fight profuse gender inequality and discrimination around the world.

Congratulations to @EmWatson, newly appointed UN Women Goodwill Ambassador! She will be a great champion for UN Women. @phumzileunwomen

— Mark Lyall Grant (@LyallGrant) July 8, 2014