Oscar winner Nicole Kidman is spearheading a campaign to raise awareness of violence against women.

The Others actress - who is goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) - visited the UN headquarters on Tuesday to launch the Say No to Violence against Women campaign.

She says, "One in three women will encounter violence in some way, shape or form against them in their lifetime. So much of it is shrouded in silence. What we are trying to do is say this is something that needs to be addressed.

"A lot of it is taking away the stigma, creating awareness and not making it a silent pandemic. I want to encourage people of all nations to unite behind our call to end violence against women."

Kidman also appealed for increased financing for the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, which gives grants for innovative efforts in developing countries to help combat the scourge.