Victoria Beckham named UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador
Former Spice girls member, Victoria Beckham has been made a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador.
After the announcement was made in New York on Thursday, Beckham joined Emma Watson and Angelina Jolie in her new ambassador role, saying: “This is the beginning of an important journey for me. As a woman and a mother I have a responsibility to support other women.
“I am proud and honoured to be working with UNAIDS in this new role to help to raise resources and awareness to support and empower women and children affected by HIV.”
The fashion icon and designer, who is married to former England international, David Beckham, said her objectives in her new role will be to work towards ensuring that children are born without HIV and that children and women who and are living with and affected by the virus are given the medicine and care that they need.
Executive director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, said, “I dream of a generation free from HIV and I know that Victoria’s support will help us to achieve this shared goal. Her creativity, innovation and outreach will amplify our efforts and bring us one important step closer towards ending the AIDS epidemic.”
Beckham visited HIV clinics in Cape Town, South Africa, in February this year during which she learnt about the significance of antiretroviral therapy – which suppresses the Aids virus and stop its progression – and how children are not being given the treatment required.
“It really was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
In August, Beckham hosted an online sale of 600 items from her wardrobe to raise money and awareness for mothers living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.