Ashley Judd Appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador, Vows To Put End To 15 Million Forced Child Marriages!

Ashely Judd is all smiles while attending a press conference to announce her appointment as The UN Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Goodwill Ambassador at the United Nations on Tuesday (March 15) in New York City.

The 47-year-old actress was joined by the fund’s executive director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, who made the announcement on Friday (March 11) at a news conference. The fund addresses reproductive health and population issues.

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That same day, Ashley revealed that she will lead a campaign to put an end to 15 million forced marriages of children as young as 9 each year, calling the global problem a “violation of every human right.”

“It is unacceptable. Child marriage in a gruesome way amplifies global gender inequalities,” Ashley told USA Today. “Child brides are voiceless. I am giving voice to these girls, she does not have a choice about when and how to have sex. She does not have a choice about when or how to get pregnant. She is taken out of school and therefore has no access to a primary or secondary education.”