(Image source from: Farhan Akhtar named United Nations Women's Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia})

Bollywood actor-director Farhan Akhtar today became the first man in UN Women's history to be appointed as its Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia.

In his new role, the 40-year-old actor will serve as an advocate for UN Women’s newly-launched HeForShe initiative in advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

“We are pleased and honoured to have Farhan as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, for we believe his work and values represent the core values of UN Women,” said UN Women Executive Director and Under-Secretary General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The organisation, dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, chose Farhan for raising voice on the issue of gender equality and violence against women and girls in India through his Men against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign.

The Indian celebrity also represents the voice of many men who are concerned about violence against women.

He launched a campaign in 2013 called MARD, Men against Rape and Discrimination.

"My MARD campaign goes out to all men to respect women, not just in their word but in their actions. We have to encourage young boys to think differently, and respect women and treat them as equal so that we can see a generational change throughout the world.

Farhan Akhtar joins other Bollywood celebrities who have taken on the role of Goodwill Ambassador like Priyanka Chopra, Celina Jaitley and Aichwarya Rai Bachchan.

AW: Arun Kumar