Angelina Jolie, the actress and activist, gave a powerful speech on June 11 at the biannual African Union Summit in Johannesburg, focusing on the need for the global community to address the violence and human rights violations that impact women and girls around the world.
“There is a global epidemic of violence against women – both within conflict zones and within societies at peace – and it is still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of extremists that revel in treating them barbarically. This is inextricably linked to our overall failure to prevent and end conflicts worldwide, which is causing human suffering on an unprecedented level,” she said. A 2013 UN study found that more than 1 in 3 females across the world were subjected to sexual violence.
The special envoy to UNHCR, Jolie also laid out plans for how the issue should be tackled.
“We need policies for long-term security that are designed by women, focused on women, executed by women—not at the expense of men, or instead of men, but alongside and with men. There is no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman, and there is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership,” she concluded echoing the He For She campaign.
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