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ANNE HATHAWAYhas been named as a global goodwill ambassador for UN Women, following in the footsteps of Emma Watson and Nicole Kidman.The Oscar-winning actress, and new mother, will be working with the organisation to advance gender equality.

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"I feel honoured and inspired by this opportunity to aid in advancing gender equality.Significant progress has already been made but it is time that we collectively intensify our efforts and ensure that true equality is finally realised," said Hathaway in a statement.Meanwhile the UN Women executive director, Phumzile Mlambo-Nguck, praised the actress's involvement.

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"The appointment of Anne is timely because this year UN Women is driving hard to foster more positive mind-sets and practical arrangements around workplaces that build and support equality for women," she said."The motherhood penalty - which means that when they become mothers, women's pay and opportunities at work suffer - is a particularly insidious demonstration of gender inequality in the workplace.For too long it has been difficult or impossible to view raising a child as being truly an equal responsibility for both parents."

A tousled bob for an International Women"s Day event in New York.

© Rex

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Hathaway's responsibilities will include turning "the spotlight on the issue of the unequal burden of care work in the home as one of the key barriers to gender equality" and "working internationally to advance the adoption and implementation of policies that will bring measurable change" which includes "affordable childcare services and shared parental leave at both government and corporate levels."

The actress,who welcomed her first child with husband Adam Shulman last month, will take up the role with immediate effect.

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