Australian-American actress and film producer Nicole Kidman is widely known for her acting career, but she is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador whose work has focused on raising awareness of issues affecting women.
In January 2006, Kidman was introduced as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM. Years later, in 2018, she announced a $500,000 donation to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
Nicole Kidman Became a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2006
On January 26, 2006, Kidman was introduced at United Nations Headquarters in New York as UNIFEM's new Goodwill Ambassador.
According to the United Nations, her role was to raise awareness of pressing issues facing women around the world and highlight the importance of women's contributions to development and the creation of just and peaceful societies.
Kidman said, “As the Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women, the United Nations’ organization working to empower women and girls, I have seen that there is no limit to what women can achieve when given the opportunity,” adding, “Working with UN Women, I have met women who had to overcome enormous obstacles, yet who went on to help others and organize to achieve social change. To me, these women embody resilience, strength, dignity—and hope,” as quoted by UN Women.
Nicole Kidman Has Focused on Violence Against Women
Her United Nations work has included efforts to raise awareness about violence against women.
In 2008, she served as a spokesperson for UNIFEM's “Say NO to Violence against Women” campaign, as per a Goodnewsnetwork report. The United Nations documented her involvement in the campaign, which focused on drawing attention to violence against women.
Kidman said at that time, “The Say NO to Violence campaign provides people all over the world with an opportunity to add their names to an ever-growing movement of people demanding that ending violence against women be made a top priority for governments around the world,” as quoted by Goodnewsnetwork.
UN Women currently describes Kidman's work as focusing on raising awareness of violations of women's human rights, particularly violence against women.
Nicole Kidman Announced a $500,000 Donation in 2018
Kidman's involvement in efforts addressing violence against women also included a donation announced in 2018.
At the UN Trust Fund's annual fundraising luncheon that year, Kidman announced that she was donating $500,000 to the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women.
The announcement is documented in the UN Trust Fund's 2018 annual report, while the UN Women annual report for 2018–2019 also records the $500,000 contribution.
From UNIFEM to UN Women
Kidman's original Goodwill Ambassador appointment was with UNIFEM. In 2010, UN Women was established by combining four parts of the United Nations system working on women's issues, including UNIFEM.
UN Women currently lists Kidman as a Goodwill Ambassador. Her profile says her work focuses on raising awareness of violations of women's human rights, particularly violence against women.
Nicole Kidman's Acting Career
Outside her United Nations work, Kidman has built an international acting career.
According to a Britannica report, Nicole Kidman was born on June 20, 1967, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Australian parents. She began her acting career in Australia and became known for her work across film and television.
Her notable films include “Dead Calm,” “To Die for,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Moulin Rouge!” and “The Hours.”
As per Britannica, Kidman won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf in “The Hours.”
Nicole Kidman's Ongoing Work With the United Nations
Kidman's relationship with the United Nations began with her appointment as a UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador in 2006. She is currently a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, and her UN Women profile highlights her work raising awareness of violations of women's human rights, particularly violence against women.
