Angelina Jolie to Help Victims of Sexual Crimes in War Zones

Popular American actress Angelina Jolie is known to be a role model for feminists world over, for her extensive work towards resolving women’s issues. And once again, Jolie has risen to the occasion with what is the first of its kind academic centre in London, Britain, to combat and prevent the violence faced by women in war zones.

The 39 year old actress said that her meeting with a 13 year old girl in Iran a few months ago changed everything, and convinced her that she must do something.

“If you were to ask me who I think this centre is for, I picture someone who is not in this room today,” Jolie said. “I think of a girl I met in Iraq three weeks ago. She is 13 years old, but instead of going to school, she sits on the floor in a makeshift tent.”

The girl was captured by Isis as a sex slave, and repeatedly raped, Jolie said. “Now she may never be able to complete her education, or get married or have a family, because in her society victims of rape are shunned, and considered shameful. To my mind, what we have begun today at LSE is for that Iraqi girl and others like her.”

For this centre of women, peace and security, which will be established at the London's School of Academics, she has partnered with William Hague. The centre will focus on Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) and on enhancing accountability and ending impunity for rape and sexual violence in war.

Picture By: Azure Azure

The 39-year-old American actress believes that education is the key to making the next generation more accountable towards creating a world, where crimes against women will not be tolerated, and will definitely not go unpunished.

In a statement, Jolie adds: “I am excited at the thought of all the students in years to come who will study in this new Center. There is no stable future for a world in which crimes committed against women go unpunished. We need the next generation of educated youth with inquisitive minds and fresh energy, who are willing not only to sit in the classroom but to go out into the field and the courtrooms and make a decisive difference.”

Jolie, a UN special envoy, has worked on other initiatives with Hague, too. They had co-founded a campaign on preventing sexual violence with former British Foreign Secretary together in 2012.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: Times of India, SF Gate

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