WATCH: Angelina Jolie addresses the AU summit 2015 | http://t.co/TdbodbSNlm— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) June 12, 2015
Angelina Jolie lobbies African leaders over sexual violence. @AFP by @SKKhumalo http://t.co/ozA6ZBFrkm pic.twitter.com/2PkwBRGYR0— Ben Sheppard (@MrBenShep) June 12, 2015
JOHANNESBURG: Actress Angelina Jolie Friday appealed to African leaders attending a summit in Johannesburg to confront the "near total impunity" that hampers efforts to tackle violence against women across the continent.
Speaking at a forum ahead of the Africa Union summit starting Sunday, Jolie said that sexual attack such as rape was the "weapon of choice" in many conflict zones as perpetrators seldom face justice.
"Violence against women is still treated as a lesser crime," said Jolie, who is the U.N. special envoy for refugees.
"Armed groups turn it into a weapon of choice because of near total impunity.
"It is clear that this is not an African problem but a global one, but few places have suffered as Africa."
Dozens of heads of state from across the continent will attend two days of meetings in South Africa's economic capital on the theme of the "Year of Women Empowerment and Development."
"Please think what it would mean if the 54 nations of the AU press together as one towards full rights and opportunities for women," said Jolie, an experienced campaigner on violence against women in conflict zones.
Among Africa's conflict hotspots are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Burundi and South Sudan.
Speaking at a forum ahead of the Africa Union summit starting Sunday, Jolie said that sexual attack such as rape was the "weapon of choice" in many conflict zones as perpetrators seldom face justice.
"Violence against women is still treated as a lesser crime," said Jolie, who is the U.N. special envoy for refugees.
"Armed groups turn it into a weapon of choice because of near total impunity.
"It is clear that this is not an African problem but a global one, but few places have suffered as Africa."
Dozens of heads of state from across the continent will attend two days of meetings in South Africa's economic capital on the theme of the "Year of Women Empowerment and Development."
"Please think what it would mean if the 54 nations of the AU press together as one towards full rights and opportunities for women," said Jolie, an experienced campaigner on violence against women in conflict zones.
Among Africa's conflict hotspots are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Burundi and South Sudan.
Perks of being a journalist - A selfie moment with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie Pitt😊 #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/DOPQM07Sp4
— Yolisa Njamela (@yolisanjamela) June 12, 2015
photos
AP
Jared
dailymail
lainey
More on Angelina Jolie's visit to SA: http://t.co/WvlFTQ6ZYO pic.twitter.com/pNbiFQF0lT— Channel24 (@Channel24) June 12, 2015
...
Yesterday, Angelina spent the day meeting activists as well as survivors of sexual violence. It's also believed that she may do some charity work while in SA before she is expected to leave the country over the weekend.
LIVE: Actor Angelina Jolie is now on the podium speaking about sexual violence against women in conflict nation. pic.twitter.com/nxmRmB2yr9— ANN7 (@ANN7tv) June 12, 2015
Angelina Jolie: I am pleading with you as leaders to live up to commitments and go beyond them. #AUSummit| DStv 405 pic.twitter.com/F64H1HGmTJ— ANN7 (@ANN7tv) June 12, 2015
.@UKinSouthAfrica @hoomy50 Angelina Jolie pleads at AU Summit for crime of Sexual Violence to be taken seriously pic.twitter.com/2TtmpjzFCY— Judith Macgregor (@JudithMacgregor) June 12, 2015
.@UKinSouthAfrica William Hague at AU Summit : Stopping Sexual Violence is a major FP objective for effective conflict resolution.— Judith Macgregor (@JudithMacgregor) June 12, 2015
@UKinSouthAfrica @IsabelZA AU Chairperson :African women are organising to fight Sexual Violence but the men need to join this.— Judith Macgregor (@JudithMacgregor) June 12, 2015
In Johannesburg today with Angelina Jolie Pitt to address African Union leaders on sexual violence in conflict.— William Hague (@WilliamJHague) June 12, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment