PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNFPA GOODWILL AMBASSADOR, GERI HALLIWELL -- 'GINGER SPICE' OF SPICE GIRLS

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNFPA GOODWILL AMBASSADOR, GERI HALLIWELL -- 'GINGER SPICE' OF SPICE GIRLS

Newly appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Geri Halliwell (a.k.a. "Ginger Spice" of the Spice Girls) told a United Nations press conference this morning that she had long been known as the "evangelist of women's empowerment". She had always been outspoken and had fought for the underdog, she said.

Ms. Halliwell, who is also the United Kingdom's Spokeswoman for the Face-to-Face International Campaign for Equal Rights and Responsibilities, was introduced by the Deputy Director of Information and External Relations Division of the UNFPA, Alex Marshall. He described her as a woman of intelligence, energy and commitment who was passionate about women's empowerment and equality.

Asked how her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador had come about, she said she had been approached by the agency, but perhaps it was predestined. A year ago, in South Africa, she had become aware of the horrific statistics concerning HIV/AIDS and the lack of awareness concerning basic women's reproductive rights in the third world. She had wanted to make a documentary concerning such issues and the offer to become Goodwill Ambassador dovetailed into those aspirations.

Mr. Marshall said that when someone's natural interest coincided with the agency's field of interest and commitment it was a marriage made in heaven.

Patricia Hindmarsh, Director of External Affairs for Marie Stopes International; and Wendy Thomas, Executive Director of Population Concern -- both United Kingdom charities concerned with reproductive health and rights -- said they had been looking for a powerful figure who had the attention of the public, and young people in particular. The two charities were aware of Ms. Halliwell's interest in women's empowerment, her bravery and readiness to speak out on what she believed. They wanted to raise awareness of the plight of young people in the less developed world. Today's global population, at 1.1 billion, was the largest generation of young people ever.

Ms. Thomas said that Ms. Halliwell would be launching a competition sponsored by Marie Stopes International. British youth would be asked to write a letter to the United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair giving him good reasons why he should support international action for women and young people's reproductive health. It was part of the Europe-wide face-to-face advocacy campaign. Ms. Halliwell would be working on behalf of the two charities, so much of her work would be carried out in the United Kingdom.

Asked what her former colleagues, the Spice Girls, thought of her new position, Ms. Halliwell said she had no idea. She herself was very proud to be a Goodwill Ambassador and would do her best.

In response to a number of questions about what she would be doing as Goodwill Ambassador, she said "I cannot just put my face to this. I have to get my hands dirty." It was not a position to take lightly and she said she would give it her full attention and energy.

She went on to say that the job of Goodwill Ambassador was a serious position. "I don't claim to intellectualize and give you lots of facts and figures", she said. A lot of the statistics were over her head, as they were for most people. She was not an expert, but it was fascinating. She was still learning and she hoped the world would learn with her. She reminded correspondents that this was her first day on a new job. Only yesterday, she had learned that in the third world, 600,000 deaths a year were due to birth-related causes. That was outrageous and would not be tolerated in the Western World, she said. Her job would be to make people aware of such issues. She would be looking for long-term benefits and trying to reach out to the women of her generation.

A correspondent asked if Ms. Halliwell was aware that the United States had not paid its dues to the United Nations because of differences over population issues. How did she feel about that? She replied that she would be better able to respond to the question in six months.

Mr. Marshall said that the United States decision not to pay its dues was tied up with politics. More serious was the decision last week not to fund the UNFPA. The United States had been one of its leading contributors during the 30 years of its existence. That decision was deeply regrettable but, again, the Fund was a victim of domestic politics.

Asked what touched her more: the situation that people were in today; or the steady increase of population which multiply their problems. She replied that they all interrelated. The empowerment of women, however, was her primary interest. The moment she had entered the public arena, in the pop world, she had always wanted to inspire and give women energy. This was taking it one step further. Women in the Western World had come a long, long way in the last 100 years. Women in the underdeveloped countries deserved the same freedom and ability and the right to choose.

Two of her former colleagues were pregnant and she was advocating population control, a correspondent said. What was her view on that? It was not about "population control", which in any case was an old and ancient phrase, she answered. The issue was about choice and giving women the rights they deserved.

Ginger Spice Press Conference - 3 - 20 October 1998

Would the fact that she was no longer a member of the Spice Girls limit her effectiveness? a correspondent asked. "At the end of the day, I am famous. Lots of people know who I am and I am damn well going to use my fame positively. If I save one person's life just through awareness, I'm going to damn well do it."

Asked about her views on abortion, she said that no woman in the world agreed in their heart with abortion, but she believed in pro-choice and non-judgement.

A correspondent asked if she would be giving any charity performances for the United Nations. She said she had not thought about it. The main issue was to raise awareness on the needs relating to health and reproduction in the third world.

Asked if she had officially given up her entertainment career, she said no. She had many different dimensions and she would be pursuing a "very entertaining career".

* *** *