What does it take to become a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador?

After Africa Is A Country learned that the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) appointed former Spice girl turned fashion designer Victoria Beckham as a Goodwill Ambassador, our team decided to debate, “What does it take to take to become a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador?” Here’s what we came up with as a way to understand how Victoria Beckham made the cut:

Job requirements:

A history of speaking publicly about sexuality, key to addressing the entrenched stigma around sex and HIV that prevents many people from taking an HIV test. VB: “I dress sexily – but not in an obvious way. Sexy in a virginal way.”


An understanding of gender, and how harmful gender norms impact girls and young women. It’s preferable if you make public statements in this regard. Case in point; VB: “I like little girls to look like little girls.”


Proven commitment to diversity. In VB’s case, she hired one black model out of 30 for a fashion show.


Ability to tweet insights into the future of the HIV response to your following. VB while on a township tour in Soweto –”Education + art = Aids free future.” 


Prior interest, knowledge or engagement in health, poverty, human rights or development beneficial. (VB: “I haven’t read a book in my life.”


Please do not apply if you are interested late in life to revive your career, benefit personally by your association with a cause, or embark on a journey of emotional self-discovery. VB, “It’s taken me to get to 40 to realise I have a responsibility as a woman and as a mother. For some reason people will listen to me. This is the beginning of an incredible journey for me.”

What should it take to become a UNAIDS (or other UN) Goodwill Ambassador? AIAC will run a follow-up post in the next few days; if you’d like to contribute, share your ideas on Twitter/Facebook.