Haiti names Maria Bello as goodwill ambassador for women

The star of "Coyote Ugly" and "A History of Violence" was named goodwill ambassador for women at a special ceremony in the grounds of the National Palace.

Bello spoke about how a group of women in a displacement camp organised themselves after the 2010 earthquake.

"I'm very fortunate to be in the position where I can hear your voices and tell the world what you have to say," Bello told an audience at the Palace, as Martelly stood at her side.

Bello, co-founder of women's grassroots group We Advance, will join the ranks of other Hollywood celebrities in Haiti who have received similar recognition for their charity work after the quake.

They include actor Sean Penn, hip-hop star Wyclef Jean and Czech supermodel Petra Nemcova.

"It is integrated into the Haitian life, the objective of, and the right to promote equality such as this women's organisation. It is also part of the millennium development goals," Martelly said.

Bello was joined at the ceremony by US clothing designer Donna Karan who is engaged in work to helping Haitian artisans develop their own businesses.

The ceremony also recognised the work of Danielle Saint Lot.