Charlize Theron 

Charlize Theron is the newest U.N. Messenger of Peace, turning her Academy Award-winning fame to ending violence against women and girls around the globe.

Theron, 33, told reporters Monday after being inducted into her new role by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that she was taking on her new responsibilities “very humbly, with a very excited heart.”

The South African native vowed to help send a strong message that violence against women and girls was not acceptable in her upcoming travels to assist Ban’s campaign dubbed “UNite to End Violence against Women,” which was launched in February.

Worldwide, the U.N. says one of every five women will be a victim of rape or attempted rape at some point in their lifetime, and at least one of every three women is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way.

“This is something that has been very dear to me, and disturbing to me for a long time,” Theron said.

Theron, who at age 15 witnessed her mother shoot her alcoholic father to death while he was threatening the family, (we didn’t know that!) won an Oscar for Best Actress in 2004 for her portrayal of a domestic violence victim turned serial killer in “Monster.”

Theron joins nine other celebrities, including Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan and actors George Clooney and Michael Douglas, in becoming a “messenger” for the U.N. in waging peace and conducting its humanitarian work worldwide.