Today, the United Nations Foundation announced Jennifer Lopez as the first-ever Global Advocate for Girls and Women at the UN Foundation. In this new role, Jennifer will help to amplify the call for action to address the needs and rights of girls and women around the world.

Jennifer’s role will focus on mobilizing action to address major challenges for girls and women around the world, in support of the UN Secretary-General’s Every Woman, Every Child initiative. From supporting maternal health programs and ensuring access to education and health services around the world, to working to end gender-based violence, she will support the work of the UN Foundation and the UN agencies it supports. In a press release, Jennifer said:

“Becoming a mother has made me more aware of the struggles of women and children throughout the world. While some progress has been made, there is still a lot more work that needs to be done for gender equality and universal access to medical care. I am happy to be joining the UN Foundation and eager to lend my voice and ensure that all girls and women are safe, healthy, educated and empowered.”

Jennifer’s first event as the Global Advocate for Girls and Women at the UN Foundation will be Friday, September 25th. She will speak at a high-level event focused on the business case for investing in girls, women, and gender equality.