Veteran broadcaster Karen Davila named UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 23) — Journalist Karen Davila on Saturday shared that she was named as a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines.

"Yesterday, I was officially welcomed by UN Women Asia Pacific Regional Director Alia El-Yassir as the first UN Women Philippines Goodwill Ambassador serving the country & the region," she said in a Facebook post. "I honestly didn't know what to expect but was so surprised with how warm, welcoming everybody was at the UN Asia office!"

The UN Women is a United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and women empowerment. Among the popular UN Women goodwill ambassadors are Hollywood actresses Nicole Kidman, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Watson.

The 52-year-old veteran broadcaster said she is familiar with the issues covered by the organization.

"Many of the issues felt familiar as in my 30 years as a broadcast journalist, I have done stories, docus, advocated for women & girls rights. I always say the best investment one can make to lift a family out of poverty is educating a girl and empowering a mother," said Davila.

As an ambassador, she will be working with the UN Women in its campaigns and initiatives for women empowerment.

"I will be working with many UN Women champions and advocates back home to help bring about change in mindsets, behaviour and hopefully, in the everyday lives of women & girls thru projects we will be involved in," said Davila.

She added that she will be going to the UN headquarters in New York this October.