Anne Hathaway Named New U.N. Ambassador for Women's Rights

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published 16 June 16

Anne Hathaway is taking on a brand-new role, but this time it ain't on a screen. On Wednesday, U.N. Women announced (opens in new tab) its appointment of Hathaway as a global Goodwill Ambassador for the agency, with a focus on women's rights—specifically on the unpaid care work women do in the home.

"The appointment of Anne is timely because this year, U.N. Women is driving hard to foster more positive mindsets and practical arrangements around workplaces that build and support equality for women," Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of U.N. Women, said in a statement (opens in new tab). "The 'motherhood penalty'—which means that when they become mothers, women's pay and opportunities at work suffer is a particularly insidious demonstration of gender inequality in the workplace."

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"We needed an advocate who had the intellect and passion to tackle this complex issue. Within moments of meeting Anne, I realized that we had found our woman," she said, according to Reuters (opens in new tab).

Hathaway has served as an advocate for the Nike Foundation, traveled to Kenya and Ethiopia to raise awareness about child marriage, and narrated the documentary Girl Rising, which tackled education.

"I feel honored and inspired by this opportunity to aid in advancing gender equality," the actress said in a statement. Here's to more good in the world. You go, Princess Mia Anne.

NEWS:Excited to announce Anne Hathaway as Goodwill Ambassador! Focus is on unpaid care work: https://t.co/kdE9Y5Tru7 pic.twitter.com/lwOKcPFiKnJune 15, 2016

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