Award winning journalist Karen Davila appointed as UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines

[Press release]

New York, U.S.A — Today, UN Women announced the appointment of renowned journalist and advocate Karen Davila as National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines. The official announcement was made during a courtesy visit to UN Women’s Executive Director, Sima Bahous at the agency’s headquarters in New York.

Multiple award-winning broadcast journalist, television news anchor, radio presenter, and longstanding advocate for women’s and children's rights, Ms. Davila will amplify critical issues and inspire change, drawing attention to the role of women in development and nation building, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Accepting her new role, Ms. Davila said: “It is an honour to be UN Women’s first National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines. I will be working with many others who speak out in support of UN Women to help bring about positive change in mindsets, behaviors, and hopefully, in the everyday lives of women and girls.”

Welcoming Ms. Davila’s appointment, Alia El-Yassir, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific said: “It is a pleasure to welcome award-winning broadcast journalist, Karen Davila as our new National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines. We look forward to working together to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

Karen Davila has been an active advocate for UN Women in the Philippines since 2020. She spearheaded the "Agapay Nanay" initiative, delivering crucial support to nearly 5,000 beneficiaries during Typhoon Ulysses. With a hands-on approach, she mobilized aid for typhoon-affected women in Rizal and Navotas in Luzon Island. Karen has been a consistent voice in significant UN Women events, moderating International Women’s Day celebrations and the Philippine Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards. She was also a key figure in the UN Women Asia-Pacific campaign #WhenWomenLead, promoting women’s leadership in business and corporate setting as well as emphasizing the critical role women play in peacebuilding.

As a new National Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, Ms. Davila joins a select group of celebrated personalities in the fields of entertainment, sports and activism, including award-winning actors Anne Hathaway and Nicole Kidman, world-renowned soccer player Marta Vieira da Silva and model and activist Cindy Sirinya Bishop, amongst many other influential figures.

Goodwill Ambassadors bolster the United Nations' reach and awareness through enhanced visibility, strategic alignment with national objectives, expansive outreach beyond traditional circles, accessible communication on gender equality, and authentic advocacy based on lived experiences.