charlize theron
Charlize Theron, new United Nations Messenger of Peace, at UN Headquarters in New York City, addressing a press conference on violence against women and girls, on 17 November 2008. Photo Credit: UN Photo/Evan Schneider.
Academy Award-winning actress Charlize Theron (South Africa/U.S.A.) has been designated as a Messenger of Peace with a special focus on eliminating violence against women. An activist as well as an acclaimed actress, she founded The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), to create a safer, healthier and better life for impoverished children and their families in South Africa, especially those suffering from HIV/AIDS. As its first mission in 2007, the Project collaborated with Oprah’s Angel Network to create a mobile health and computer unit designed to improve the health and social development of youth in Umkhanyakude District. Approximately 5,000 students in this remote community 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. Ms. Theron also filmed a series of public service announcements in support of the Cape Town Rape Crisis Center, urging no tolerance for rape or domestic violence.