Harry Potter star Emma Watson has been named a goodwill ambassador by the United Nations organisation UN Women.

Watson will promote gender equality and work towards the empowerment of young women in the role. She was named after undertaking humanitarian work in the area of girls' education in Bangladesh and Zambia.

"Being asked to serve as UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador is truly humbling," said Watson in a statement released on UN Women's website. "The chance to make a real difference is not an opportunity that everyone is given and is one I have no intention of taking lightly. Women's rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can't imagine an opportunity more exciting. I still have so much to learn, but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience and awareness to this role."

UN Women under-secretary-general and executive director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said the organisation was "thrilled" and "honoured" to be working with Watson. "The engagement of young people is critical for the advancement of gender equality in the 21st century, and I am convinced that Emma's intellect and passion will enable UN Women's messages to reach the hearts and minds of young people globally," she said.

Watson is best known for her role as schoolgirl witch Hermione Granger in eight Harry Potter films between 2001 and 2011. She has subsequently pursued a career, usually in supporting roles, in independent films such as Sofia Coppola's The Bling Ring and blockbuster fare such as Darren Aronofsky's Noah. Watson graduated from the Ivy League institution Brown University in May with a bachelor's degree in English literature.

The British actor, 24, will work with UN Women's HeForShe campaign, which promotes gender equality, in her new role.