Padma Lakshmi, wife of novelist Salman Rushdie, plans to visit India as ambassador for the UN Development Fund for Women.
"Since I married Salman, I have been getting a lot of requests to do charity work. But Salman advised me not to lend my name to organisations that I knew nothing about," Lakshmi, who was recently appointed UNIFEM ambassador, told The Daily Telegraph.
"When I came across UNIFEM, I was appalled that I had never heard of it before. Speaking up for children with AIDS seems to be a trendy choice with celebrities, but no one wants to help women who are being abused and tortured."
Lakshmi is hoping to kick off her new job by filming a documentary in India.
"I am going to approach the BBC about making a film on UNIFEM's work in India," she said.
"I want to go to Asia as a journalist and explore what life for women is like out there."
After his initial reservation, Rushdie is supporting his wife in her new venture.
"Salman has already given me £10,000 to build this one particular shelter in New Delhi, where I travelled this month. He offered without being asked, so I said I would accept it as my Christmas present," she told the daily.