'All too often these crimes against women are laughed off': UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie delivers passionate speech about preventing sexual violence at peacekeeping summit in Vancouver
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- Published on Friday, 17 November 2017 04:50
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie gave an impassioned keynote speech on Wednesday at the United Nations Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial conference in Vancouver, in the Canadian province of British Columbia.The 42-year-old - who is a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - spoke about preventing sexual violence in armed conflict at the event.In her powerful speech, the activist for the rights of women and refugees touched up current conflicts around the world, while also indirectly addressing the recent stream of sexual abuse allegations in Hollywood.She shared from the podium: 'We have to ask, how is it, after all these years, all these laws and resolutions and all the horrors endured, women still have to ask for this most basic of all entitlements: the right to a life free from violence?'Sexual violence is everywhere – in the industry where I work, in business, in universities, in politics, in the military, and across the world. It affects men as well as women.Adding: 'However it is recognized by the UN one of the prime reasons why women remain in a subordinate position in relation to men in most parts of the world, and as a critical obstacle to achieving women's equality and our full human rights.' The philanthropist recently opened up to the New York Times about her experience with disgraced US producer Harvey Weinstein and described the encounter as a 'bad experience' which left her refusing to work with him.Appearing to reference her past with the discredited movie mogul, Angelina explained that unfortunately crimes of sexual violence against women are often 'laughed off'. 'The first myth is that this behavior is sexual,' she said. 'All too often these kinds of crimes against women are laughed off, depicted as a minor offense by someone who cannot control themselves, as an illness, or as some kind of exaggerated sexual need.'But a man who mistreats women is not oversexed. He is abusive.' Arriving to the summit, the beautiful brunette looked elegant in a cream dress with a deep cowl neckline and pencil skirt that she teamed with cream high heels. The Maleficent actress styled her long, thick brunette tresses to cascade over her shoulders and frame her perfectly made-up face.Angelina chatted with Canada's Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan, 47, the first Sikh to hold the post.Then they joined the representatives of 80 countries at the conference for a group photo.Angelina was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at the body's headquarters in Geneva, switzerland, on August 27, 2001.On April 17, 2012, after more than a decade of service, she was was promoted to the rank of Special Envoy to the High Commissioner.Brad Pitt's estranged wife has made dozens of trips to areas in need in Africa, both as an actress and as a Special Envoy. They adopted three of their six children from the continent: Maddox, 16, from Cambodia; Pax, 13, from Vietnam; and Zahara, 12, from Ethiopia.They also have three of their own children, Shiloh, 11, and nine-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.
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