'I want to make change happen' Victoria Beckham gives UN AIDS speech

Posted Friday, September 26, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

TODAY Victoria Beckham spoke on behalf of the United Nations.

'I want to make change happen' Victoria Beckham gives UN AIDS speech
UN SPEECH: Victoria Beckham is a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador

Over the years she's morphed from popstar, to WAG and she's now a top fashion designer – but now the woman formerly known as Posh Spice wants to lend her voice to a worthy cause.

The 40-year-old mum-of-four skipped the unveiling of her first UK store so that she could speak at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, leaving hubby David to greet the stylishly-dressed crowds at her new Dover Street boutique.

Although she's rarely heard speaking in public, Vic looked confident as she talked about her role in the UNAIDS campaign.

She said: "I'm a mother, I'm a woman, I want to reach out and help as many women and mothers as I can. Babies should not be born with HIV.

"I've supported many AIDS charities over the years. I've been a patron of the Elton John AIDS foundation for 20 years. So I've always been involved – but in the background."

'I want to make change happen' Victoria Beckham gives UN AIDS speech
SPEECH: Victoria Beckham said she wanted to lend her voice to the UNAIDS cause

Revealing why she has chosen to step out into the spotlight to help the project, Mrs Beckham revealed: "I was lucky enough to visit South Africa a few months ago… it changed how I feel.

"I came home thinking I have a responsibility.

'I want to make change happen' Victoria Beckham gives UN AIDS speech "And for some reason people will listen to what I have to say, so I'm going to speak on behalf on the incredible women and the incredible charities that are working so desperately hard in these countries… I'm going to lend my voice."

The Say You'll Be There singer appeared alongside Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé.

Taking to Twitter after her speech, Victoria posted: "As a woman & a mother I want to make change happen and support the @UNAIDS vision.

"Together we can end the AIDS epidemic."

In her role as an ambassador for UNAIDS, Geri Halliwell's former bandmate will work towards ensuring all children are born free from HIV and any children or mothers living with the illness have access to appropriate medicines and care.

Back in February she visited clinics in Cape Town, where she learned about how vital antiretroviral therapy is in the battle against HIV.

The treatment reduces the risk of an infected mother passing HIV to her baby during childbirth to below 5% – but currently one third of women living with the disease do not have access.