Press Release
UNFPA Announces the Appointment of Ms. Shabana Azmi as its Goodwill Ambassador for India
01 November 1998
Known for her commitment to social causes, Ms Azmi will advocate population and development, reproductive health and gender issues. She will also visit UNFPA’s project sites, interact with communities and address population-related concerns at various fora.
Born to the acclaimed lyricist Kaifi Azmi and known stage actress Shaukat Kaifi, Ms Azmi earned a name for herself as an actress not only in commericial cinema but in parallel cinema as well. She won the National Award for her very first film Ankur in 1974, and won National Awards for three consecutive years (1983-85) for her sensitive portrayals in Arth, Kahndhar and Paar.
Ms Azmi has been a committed social activist too. She has undertaken yatras and made public statements over issues close to her heart, particularly social justice. Her campaign against ostracisation of AIDS victims is one such example. She has also addressed students and faculty of several universities in India and abroad, including MIT, Boston, University of Chicago and University of London.
Ms Azmi is a member of the National Integration Council headed by the Prime Minister.
She is married to celebrated poet and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar.
