May 29, KYIV – The famous TV presenter and philanthropist Maria Efrosinina became the Honorary Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Ukraine.

Such a high status was granted to a Ukrainian woman for the first time to represent the UNFPA in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. It is Ukraine to nominate the Honorary Ambassador for the first time in the whole region for many years. Maria Efrosinina will officially represent the interests of young people for the next two years, as well as raise her voice against domestic violence and for gender equality in Ukraine.

The Honorary Ambassador's status implies support for the United Nations Population Fund activities aimed at combating violence, promoting equality, as well as protecting interests and fostering opportunities for the youth.

"We have a lot of work ahead, because these topics are very complicated and very urgent in Ukraine. We appreciate our cooperation with Maria very much. We believe that the issues of gender equality, domestic violence, and the fulfillment of young people's potential will be discussed more prominently, thus attaining more urgency and visibility to society", said Caspar Peek, UNFPA Representative in Ukraine.

"Traveling through the cities of Ukraine, I communicate with thousands of women at their women's meetings. Since today, in partnership with the UNFPA, we are greatly expanding our ability to discuss these issues and helping women feel more confident", told Maria Efrosinina.

Remember that only together can we build a peaceful, free and tolerant society.