Charlize Theron Named UN Peace Envoy

(andPOP) - Charlize Theron has a new role – not in a movie, but for the United Nations.

The Oscar-winning actress has been named an Ambassador of Peace by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

"You have used your voice, compassion and special relationship with the public to create a better world," the secretary general said in his announcement Friday.

Theron was recognized for her support of social issues, including the creation of a project aimed at promoting HIV/AIDS education in South Africa, where the now-American citizen was born and raised.

Her new role will focus on ending violence against women, a topic with special significance to the actress. When she was 15, she witnessed her mother fatally shoot her father in self-defence when he attacked her.

Theron will be officially appointed Monday in a ceremony in New York City. She is the UN's 10th peace envoy, joining such well-known figures as George Clooney and Michael Douglas.

Theron won an Oscar for 2003's "Monster," and has since starred in "North Country," "In The Valley of Elah" and "Hancock," among others.