Victoria Beckham becomes UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador

The fashion designer pledges to help raise awareness of the Aids virus and help those affected by it

Victoria Beckham has been made a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador.

The announcement was made at a press conference in New York this afternoon (25 September).

"This is the beginning of an important journey for me. As a woman and a mother I have a responsibility to support other women," said Beckham.

"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."

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.

"I dream of a generation free from HIV and I know that Victoria’s support will help us to achieve this shared goal," said Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS. "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," said the fashion designer. "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.

The designer shared tweets about the cause today.

"As a woman & a mother I want to make change happen and support the @UNAIDS vision," she wrote, adding: "Together we can end the #AIDS epidemic."

Other high-profile UN ambassadors include Emma Watson (who delivered a much-publicised speech on feminism last weekend) and Angelina Jolie.