Charlize Theron Named UN Messenger of Peace

Charlize TheronCharlize Theron, the South African-born Oscar winner has been named the United Nations messenger of peace, with a special focus on ending violence against the women.

The messengers of peace, of which there will be 10, are celebrities from film, music, sports and literature. Their job is to promote UN activities through different public appearances and media contacts. The other messengers of peace are actors George ClooneyGeorge Clooney and Michael DouglasMichael Douglas, musicians Daniel Barenboim, Midori Goto and Yo-Yo Ma, authors Paulo CoelhoPaulo Coelho and Elie WieselElie Wiesel, equestrian Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein and naturalist Jane GoodallJane Goodall.

Charlize Theron won an Academy Award for her role in the movie Monster in which she played a role of a woman who came from a background of violence and abuse and was executed in Florida in 2002.

Theron, 33, in the movie North Country (2005) played a woman who fights back against sexual harassment.

She was also named ‘Sexiest Woman Alive' by Esquire magazine. With her designation to be officially announced at the UN Headquarters on Monday, Theron has been recognized for her work focusing attention and mobilizing efforts on social issues, particularly in her native South Africa, where she has the Africa Outreach Project, which provides funding for a mobile health and computer clinic that visits high schools in rural communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

Thanks to Theron's efforts, approximately 5,000 students in those remote communities now have access to counseling and testing for HIV and other health issues, and receive computer training and health education, with a special focus on preventing HIV.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonBan Ki-moon, while designating her messenger of peace, said "You have used your voice, compassion and special relationship with the public to create a better world."

"I am convinced you would be a persuasive and powerful Messenger of Peace. You have consistently dedicated yourself to improving the lives of women and children in South Africa, and to preventing and stopping violence against women and girls," Ban said, adding he looked forward to working her to "end this terrible scourge."