Jennifer Lopez Named First-Ever UN Advocate for Girls and Women

Jennifer Lopez announced on Wednesday that she will be the United Nations Foundation's first-ever global advocate for girls and women.

Lopez attended her first event as advocate, the UN Foundation's Gender Equality Discussion on Friday, where she delivered her first speech.

The Puerto Rican star made the announcement and shared an image from the event on Instagram. She expressed her appreciation for the new title and opportunity to help make a difference.

"I will be able to use my voice to bring attention and awareness to important issues such as healthcare for mothers visibility for all women and gender equality with the goal of making sure woman all over the world are SHEE Safe, Healthy, Educated and Empowered! It is my honor and I am humbled to be given this privilege," Lopez captioned the photo.

In a press release, UN Foundation President and CEO Kathy Calvin expressed the foundation's appreciation to be working with Lopez.

"We are thrilled to work with Jennifer Lopez, who will lend her powerful voice to one of the most important causes of our generation - empowering girls and women," Calvin said. "We can -- and must -- put the needs and rights of girls and women on center stage -- and we are honored to have Jennifer Lopez help us in our efforts."

Lopez explained that becoming a mother to her children Max and Emme with singer Marc Anthony made her a lot more aware of issues affecting women and children worldwide.

Besides being a strong and prominent figure in music and film, Lopez has been involved in bringing attention to women's issues for some time now.

In 2009, she and her sister Lynda Lopez founded a nonprofit organization called the Lopez Family Foundation, which works toward improving health care access for women and children.