Kidman becomes UN women's fund ambassador

Actress Nicole Kidman (left) is presented with a T-shirt by Noeleen Heyzer, the executive director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). Picture / Reuters

UNITED NATIONS - Movie star Nicole Kidman become a UN goodwill ambassador for women today, pledging to travel the globe in the fight against domestic violence, human trafficking and AIDS.

"I hope that this will be a lifelong commitment for me," Kidman, who is already a goodwill ambassador for the UN Children's Fund UNICEF, told a news conference.

It was her second honour of the day, having been named a Companion in the Order of Australia in her native country on its national day.

Kidman, who won a best-actress Oscar for the 2002 film "The Hours," said her interest in the UN Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM, began while making last year's "The Interpreter," the first movie ever filmed at UN headquarters.

Her mother heard about a UN program helping Cambodian women revive traditional silk-weaving skills, phoned her up and said she should get involved.

Kidman then tracked down UNIFEM director Noeleen Heyzer and offered to help.

Kidman said she would still work as UNICEF ambassador, but would now concentrate on women's issues.

Heyzer and Kidman plan to travel to Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Afghanistan and Cambodia this year.

"I have a lot of friends who say to me: 'That's so bleak, why would you take that?' ... I do believe there is enormous possibility to change this world," Kidman said.

Reporters and photographers packed the auditorium where officials normally speak to a largely empty room on UN business.

"Compared to the Cannes film festival, this is a sedate crowd," Kidman said.

- REUTERS