1997, Varis gave up modeling career and turned to work against female circumcision. In the same year, she was appointed as the United Nations Special Ambassador for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. In 2002, the Desert Flower Foundation she founded was held in Vienna to raise people's awareness of the dangers of female genital mutilation around her. Varis later founded PPR Women's Dignity and Rights Foundation with French businessman Fran? ois-Henri Pi Nuo (CEO of PPR) and his wife, Hollywood actress salma hayek. Varis also established the Desert Dawn Foundation to support schools and clinics, Setz Foundation and sustainable development and conservation organizations in her hometown of Somalia.