5 Best Moments for Women in Angelina Jolie's Epic Speech

Angelina Jolie Pitt addressed a first intrigued, then interested and subsequently inspired audience at the biannual African Union Summit, where she shared some highly insightful revelations about the atrocities against women around the world. In the crowd were African Union chairwoman Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and British foreign minister William Hague, both individuals capable of great change. Here are the best moments in her speech:

1.       When she assessed the situation uber- accurately:

"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."

Our lack of empathy towards the cries of women, and repeated failure to protect them in conflict zones as well as normal societies, is putting us in a vicious cycle where more violence is perpetrated out of fearlessness of consequences.

2.       When she addressed the larger problem at hand

"Women and girls are bearing the brunt of extremists that revel in treating them barbarically," she added. "This is inextricably linked to our overall failure to prevent and end conflicts worldwide, which is causing human suffering on an unprecedented level."

Calling it a humanitarian issue, she said that such targeted violence is happening at the hands of masochistic sick minded extremists - the same minds who are behind creating large-scale conflicts and exterminations worldwide. Such elements are a danger to overall humanity, not just helpless women. Hence, the magnitude of this problem must be assessed accurately, to arrive at solutions.

3. When she proved she has been struggling for Sulutions too:

"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."

She may have implied that this must irk every man enough to make it their own cause; but she downright declared that every woman must be at the front-foot if they wish for a better world for themselves.

When she showed us what an ideal man and woman are really like:

"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."

The definitions of a real woman have finally become less rigid and medieval, and today-  an attractive woman is a woman who decides to be whatever she wants to be. And an ideal man is one who sees the real her and expects her to be nothing different.

5. When She Applauded The Women in her Audience for their Exemplary Endurance:

The African women have put up "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."

Image Credits: Dailymail.co.uk