Actress Kidman supports U.N.-backed center

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Actress Nicole Kidman said she took part in a ground-breaking event for a San Francisco center because combating violence against women is an "urgent issue."

The United Nations said in a release the 42-year-old actress agreed to attend Friday's ceremony as part of an initiative involving the U.N. Development Fund for Women and the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

"There is no doubt that ending violence against women remains an urgent issue and belongs on center stage," said Kidman, who began serving as a UNIFEM goodwill ambassador in January 2006.

"Solutions require action and investment, and strong partnerships like the one we're announcing today between UNIFEM and Family Violence Prevention Fund."

UNIFEM Executive Director Ines Alberdi said the planned International Center to End Violence will offer assistance to those women who have endured physical or sexual violence.

"It will be a space which will open doors to many whose voices are yet unheard, where practitioners, activists and survivors will share and learn from each other, and contribute to solutions on the ground," Alberdi said.