UNFPA Appoints Shudu Musida as Global Champion for Women and Girls

New York – UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, is proud to announce Shudufhadzo (known as Shudu) Musida as our Global Champion for Women and Girls. 

Her first act in this role is to help observe the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation by launching a UNFPA campaign entitled Patterns of Hope - inside the movement to end female genital mutilation, which focuses on ending the harmful practice endured by more than 200 million women and girls worldwide. 

Ms. Musida previously served as UNFPA’s first-ever Regional Champion for East and Southern Africa, where she advocated for women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health. Crowned as Miss South Africa in 2020, she has since leveraged her platform to mobilize awareness and action on gender equity and mental health, notably via her Mindful Mondays programme, which reached over 1 million weekly viewers. Her unwavering commitment and impact have been invaluable for UNFPA.

“I am incredibly honoured to continue advancing UNFPA’s mandate, especially as it faces concerted opposition around the world,” said Ms. Musida. “I’m committed to raising awareness and advocating for the rights of women and girls everywhere.”

Hailing from a village in Limpopo Province, South Africa, Ms. Musida's upbringing instilled a deep understanding of the injustices faced by women and girls worldwide. She is currently bringing these experiences to the Ivy League through her enrolment in Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where she is pursuing a master’s degree. And as UNFPA’s Global Champion, she will continue advocating for an intersectional approach to well-being, addressing mental health, improving sexual and reproductive health, and ending gender-based violence. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Shudu to the UNFPA global team,” said Ian McFarlane, Director of UNFPA’s Division for External Relations. “Her energy, passion and commitment are inspiring. Working through partnerships we can achieve so much more than we would by working alone.”

Her two-year appointment will contribute to UNFPA’s mission to achieve sexual and reproductive health and rights for all by 2030. 

• To visit UNFPA's "Patterns of Hope - inside the movement to end female genital mutilation" campaign, click here 
• For more information or interview requests, please contact: Eddie Wright: ewright@unfpa.org; Tel:  +1 917 831 2074