Jolie calls for support to women’s rights

Published June 13, 2015
Johannesburg (South Africa): Former British Secretary of State William Hague, United States actress and UNHCR representative Angelina Jolie (centre) and African Union Commission chairperson Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma pose for a picture on the occasion of a seminar on conflict-related gender violence at a session of the African Union summit.—AFP
Johannesburg (South Africa): Former British Secretary of State William Hague, United States actress and UNHCR representative Angelina Jolie (centre) and African Union Commission chairperson Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma pose for a picture on the occasion of a seminar on conflict-related gender violence at a session of the African Union summit.—AFP

JOHANNESBURG: Appearing at an African Union summit in South Africa on Friday, actress Angelina Jolie, who is also a United Nations special envoy on refugee issues, spoke about rape as a weapon of warfare and asked African representatives to support women’s rights.

Jolie had been invited to speak on women and conflict. She shared a panel with the African Union Commission Chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former British Foreign Secretary William Hague and other prominent delegates.

“Progress is slow, it is uneven, it is fragile and in some parts of the world it is being erased,” Jolie said. “Think what it would mean if the 54 nations of the African Union press as one toward full rights and opportunities for women, not just for this great continent but for the world,” she said.

As co-founders of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, Jolie and Hague met with South African rights groups on Thursday to discuss strategies to prevent sexual violence. South Africa has a high rate of rape and violence against women.

Published in Dawn June 13th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...
Budget and politics
Updated 14 Jun, 2024

Budget and politics

PML-N, scared of taking bold steps lest it loses whatever little public support it has, has left its traditional support — traders — virtually untouched.
New talks?
14 Jun, 2024

New talks?

WILL this prove another false start, or may we expect a more sincere effort this time? Reference is made to the...
A non-starter
14 Jun, 2024

A non-starter

WHILE the UN Security Council had earlier this week adopted a US-backed resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza...