Kidman praises UN

Nicole Kidman has praised a United Nations fund set up to end violence against women - insisting it has made a massive difference to women around the world.

The Moulin Rouge star, who is the goodwill ambassador of the UN Development Fund For Women (UNIFEM), is delighted the organisation has helped the lives of countless people since it was set up 10 years ago.

She says: "What is so impressive is how (the women) are speaking out, helping one another and organising to achieve political and social change.

"For the past 10 years, UNIFEM and the UN trust fund… have been a key ally in this movement for change and gender equality."

Since its inception, the fund has granted more than $13m (€9.9m) to 226 initiatives around the world.