Padma Lakshmi Just Confirmed a New Gig and We Couldn't Be Prouder

Cue all those applause emojis because Bravo's Top Chef host and all-around human rights activist Padma Lakshmi has just added a new gig to her résumé. She was recently appointed as the latest Goodwill Ambassador in the United Nations Development Programme. According to a press release, Padma is on board to work on "Sustainable Development Goals with a focus on fighting inequality, discrimination and empowering the disenfranchised." She celebrated the achievement on Twitter and opened up more about her work with the initiative at a press event.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day [last week], let’s remember that women and girls face some of the worst discrimination and hardships in the world. My main mission as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador will be to shine a spotlight on the fact that inequality can affect people in rich and poor countries alike," she shared. “Many nations have greatly reduced poverty, but inequality has proved more stubborn. Inequality is further compounded by gender, age, ethnicity and race. It especially affects women, minorities and others who face unimaginable discrimination in the societies in which they live.”

Padma has long been an outspoken activist for issues, especially those affecting women and seeking to empower them. Her work has included shining a light on endometriosis, a condition she also suffers from, as well as her own experiences being sexually assaulted when she was a teenager.

As for her latest gig with the UN, she added, “Fighting inequality is at the heart of UNDP’s mission. I look forward to joining forces with UNDP to help bring about a future in which every person, regardless of their income, their gender or place of birth, is empowered to live the life they want.”