MUMBAI: Actor-filmmaker and musician Farhan Akhtar, who is the first man to be appointed UN Women's South Asia Goodwill Ambassador, Wednesday called for gender equality on the occasion of International Men's Day. He is the first man to be chosen as the Goodwill Ambassador in the organisation's history and will be promoting the campaign 'HeForShe'.

The 40-year-old has not only explored different realms of filmmaking like direction, acting and singing, he has also voiced several important issues of gender equality through his Men Against Rape and Discrimination (MARD) campaign.

"International Men's day today. Let's make it a marker for a renewed understanding of how we can contribute to create an equal future. #MARD." the actor tweeted.

UN Women Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said, "We are pleased and honoured to have Farhan as our Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, for we believe his work and values represent the core values of UN Women."

As a part of 'MARD', Akhtar also released a song recently that sang about women empowerment, called 'Chulein Aasman.' Farhan, who has created ripples at the box-office with his film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag', is currently busy with his sister Zoya Akhtar's film 'Dil Dhadakne Do' and 'Do'.