Angelina Jolie and U.N. special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zanab Bangora, met with G8 foreign ministers as part of the two-day talks among eight world powers that are expected to focus on North Korea and the civil war in Syria.
Angelina Jolie was present at a meeting of the G8 foreign ministers in London as a Special Envoy for the UN Human Rights Council at Lancaster House. Joining forces with Foreign Secretary William Hague, UK has pledged to spend a further £10million on tackling sexual violence and harm to women in war zones.
Mr Hague said the deal was necessary to 'end the treatment of rape and sexual violence as a secondary issue and to put women and women's rights front and centre in conflict resolution.'
The UK's pledge is part of an overall £23 million package pledged by the G8 nations. The £10 million funding, £5 million will come from the Foreign Office (FCO). The other £5 million will come from the Department for International Development (DfID).
She said: 'Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been sexually assaulted in the wars of our generation. But wartime rape is not inevitable.
'This violence can be prevented, and it must be confronted. I have heard survivors of rape from Bosnia to (the Congo) say that the world simply does not care about them.
Angelina Jolie waves to photographers as she enters Lancaster House to attend the G8 Foreign Ministers’ Conference on Thursday (April 11) in London, England. The 37-year-old actress was accompanied by British Foreign Secretary William Hague.
Angelina welcomes the long overdue stand that the G8 has taken and this landmark declaration. Angelina thanks the governments who have made funding commitments. She particularly endorces 'the declarations strong words on Rights and Freedoms for women and children. And its promise to include women in peace proceses and democratic transitions'.
Meeting of nations: The first session at the Foreign Ministers G8 meeting at Lancaster House
Angelina 'welcomes the recognition of male victims of sexual violence and the practical action, the promise to help to lift the stigma from survivors and provide rehabilitation, particularly for children.'
Foreign Secretary William Hague (right) greets US Secretary of State John Kerry (left) for the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting
She continues 'There is no choice between Peace and Justice. Peace requires Justice.'
'So I welcome the pledge by the G8 to regard rape and sexual violence in armed conflict as grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions and to give no amnesty to those who commit these crimes. And I fully support the work that will now begin on the international protocol, investigation and documentation of sexual violence in conflict and look forward to its adoption.'
'Foreign Ministers: Millons of people have been waiting for the commitments you have just made and they will be watching to see they be implemented. You have promissed to work together. To raise awareness of sexual violence and to bring down the barriers to Justice. And this significance cannot be understated.'
'It is also encouraging if I may say to see men in leadership speaking out against rape and I hope many others will follow your example.....' hear full video with this important message to the world.
Angelina Jolie has beauty, intelligence and a purpose beyong being an actress. She is using her voice and presence to influence. The work to empower both men and women is necessary. Also especially so to empower children too. If a structure is not protecting people, it can be the cause of the destruction and opressing of people...even unknowingly.
Angelina Jolie is regarded as Hollywood Royalty. The reality is she is showing to be another woman with a Royal bloodline and while not perfect or pretending to be, she knows what is life, she sees what is happening and she is doing what she can.
Today it is necessary that men wake up and realise that violating women excuses women being covered from head to toe. The contribution to what might be seen to be liberating a country, might be causing other far deeper problems. People are not considering consquences or understand the way children's minds work. They forgot their own experiences.
A child who witnesses a man abuse or rape their mother sees this as the norm. A mother with low self esteem, is not able to recognise the blind spots in her own relationship to protect her child. Raping men women and children, is why we are seeing confused sexuality in our world and people finding safe friendships and confort with people who relate to their experience.
There are people who are aware of what is happening. The voices that could have been heard and were silenced - the messsage gets louder until the message hits home. It does not matter where this message comes from. Angelina is delivering a very important messagte that must be heard and understood. Listening to videos of women who had been raped in war conditions included women in the military. One lady spoke of being raped 19 times in one day. So low is the mentaltiy that can degrade a woman like this.
There are people who want to be famous and wealthy - to be a celebrity for the sake of being a celebrity. What is the point? Asking people why they want to be famous is very revealing. The world is watching now.
My appreciation goes to Angelina Jolie for addressing this issue here in England.
Lancaster House was bought by Lord Leverhulme who was from Bolton where I live. (another connection) Willliam Lever became a very successful businessman and gave back in a big way to people. Lancaster House (previously known as York House and Stafford House) is in the St. James's district in the West End of London. It is close to St. James's Palace and was once part of the palace complex. Today the Grade I listed building is now managed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Queen Elizabeth II is Duke of Lancaster, with being guided to live on the Royal Duchy of Lancaster was because of a far higher power that is beyond human manipulation. There is a more reason why I am connected to Lord Leverhulme.
Thoughts have power. Prayers are powerful when they are from sincere heart. There are many people who are 'genuniely' doing what they can to make a positive difference. Angelina shows that the real issues including assisting peace and democratic process is not going to be silenced. Silence causes far greater problems later on. This has been proved over.
There are people in our world living in the most oppressive conditions. There are also people living in oppressive conditons in UK too. If humanity is going to be given a chance to pave a new world, people need to be empowered. The structure that is created to support society needs to unmderstand the importance of empowering the people to empower future generations.
The structure that continues to allow injustice shows the corporation needs a clean out!
Peace love and best wishes
Pauline Maria
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