Acclaimed humanitarian, writer and actor Ashley Judd is fiercely committed to social justice. In particular, she believes that the sexual and reproductive health of girls and women, including choosing if, when and how many children to have, is at the heart of poverty eradication and sustainable development. She is a passionate advocate for the right of every girl and boy to enter adulthood safely and empowered, and to ending all forms of gender-based violence, including in the United States. 

At present, she sits on the Leadership Council at the International Center for Research on Women. She is a Global Ambassador for both Population Services International and Polaris Project, and serves on the advisory boards for Demand Abolition and Apne Aap Worldwide. Additionally, Ms. Judd works with countless other NGO and CBO’s that focus on the legal, economic, social, cultural, educational, health and financial empowerment of the poorest of the poor.

She has traveled around the world, visiting slums, brothels, schools, hospices, drop-in centers and clinics in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central America. As well as being a best-selling author and film-maker, she is a proud American and citizen of the world who is committed to doing her part to help the global family progress toward wellness and peace. 

Her partnership with UNFPA is her first appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador for a United Nations organization.

Being a girl is not a crime, it is a privilege. I am excited to do what I can to help girls and women everywhere contribute their potential – which is indeed awesome – to the progress of all humankind.