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AUSTRALIA APPOINTS GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR WOMEN & GIRLS

Australia will be at the forefront of global efforts to promote the role of women and girls with the creation of an Ambassador to advocate on their behalf.

The Gillard Government today announced career diplomat Penny Williams will be Australia's first Global Ambassador for Women and Girls.

Ms Williams will engage in international advocacy in support of Australian Government policies that benefit women and girls, including work through the aid program.

Women and girls make up two-thirds of the one billion people in the world who lack basic literacy skills, with almost 35 million girls worldwide not getting even basic primary-level education. By improving access to education and health services for women and girls, we are able to lift families and communities out of poverty.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said that the evidence shows that aid spending is more effective when women are central to our investment.

The new Ambassador will co-ordinate and promote Australia's work to eradicate violence against women, improve access to services for women, the protection of women and girls in conflict zones and increase the representation of women in leadership roles.

The NGO community has welcomed the announcement.

'We commend the Federal Government in bringing the global empowerment of women and girls to the forefront of Australia's foreign policy,' UN Women Australia's Executive Director Julie McKay said.