Filmworld
Violence against women treated as lesser crime: Jolie
Los Angeles, June 13
Actress-filmmaker Angelina
Jolie, who addressed delegates at the African Union summit, says
violence against women is still treated as a lesser crime and is not
being given the priority it deserves.
The 40-year-old
award-winning actress, who is the special envoy of the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees, sat on a panel of foreign leaders on
Thursday to deliver a speech at the bi-annual event that encourages more
global support to end violence against women around the world, reports
people.com.
"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. The near total
impunity that exists worldwide for crimes against women, in conflict
zones in particular, means that we are seeing more and more armed groups
turn it into their weapon of choice," said Jolie.
"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 added.
The "Unbroken" director went
on to pay tribute to African victims for their "extraordinary
resilience, dignity and strength in the face of trials that would break
any of us."
"They are some of the most formidable and impressive
people I have ever met and they deserve better than to be left alone to
suffer," Jolie continued.
She wrapped up her speech by stating that the solution needs to be tailored to, and pioneered by, women themselves.
"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 said.
Jolie joined former
British foreign minister William Hague, Senegalese activist Bineta Diop
and Zainab Bangura, who is the U.N's Special Representative on Sexual
Violence in Conflict, on the panel at the event.