United Nations (UN) Women, the UN organization “dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women,” has announced Emma Watson, a British actress, will serve as Goodwill Ambassador for the organization. Ms Watson, who has previously visited Bangladesh and Zambia as part of her humanitarian work, will work in support of the organization’s HeForShe campaign, which seeks to engage both men and women to promote gender equality.
With regard to Ms Watson’s appointment, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women, stated, “The engagement of young people is critical for the advancement of gender equality in the 21st century, and I am convinced that Emma’s intellect and passion will enable UN Women’s messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally” [1].
UN Women has regional offices and operations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania. In 2013, among other efforts, UN Women provided grants to independent organization for small-scale economic empowerment of women in India, Lebanon, Tanzania and Vietnam. As of 2013, UN Women reported receiving donations from national governments totaling USD 239 billion [2].
By Benjamin Krupp, Research Associate
Sources and Additional Resources
[1] UN Women: UN Women Announce Emma Watson as Goodwill Ambassador
[2] UN Women: Annual Report 2013-2014
MicroCapital, July 8, 2014: ‘The Promise of Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment; What Does the Evidence Say?;” by Dina Pomeranz; published by EY (Ernst & Young)
MicroCapital, June 25, 2014: International Finance Corporation (IFC) Loans $47m to Garanti Bank Romania to Support Small, Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Mostly Those Owned by Women
MicroCapital, September 10, 2012: “Empowerment of Women and Gender Mainstreaming in Rural Microfinance;” by Getaneh Gobezie; Published by UN Women
MicroCapital, November 5, 2007: iTunes, Independent Online Distribution Alliance (IODA) and Natalie Portman Team Up for ‘Big Change: Sings for FINCA’ Compilation, Proceeds to Benefit International Microfinance Organization FINCA
MicroCapital, May 15, 2007: Actress Natalie Portman and Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan Launch FINCA’’s Charity Drive
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