Angelina Jolie Urges US Lawmakers To Pass New Violence Against Women Act

Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie joined advocates and legislators to push for the introduction of the new Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. The actor made the call while giving a speech at the US Capitol, accompanied by her daughter Zahara. In an emotional speech over the topic during a press conference, she questioned the time taken for this to happen and the suffering that women have had to endure as a consequence. She criticised Congress for its silence on domestic violence while urging the bipartisan group to pass the new version of the Act.

Recently, Jolie shared on her Instagram feed a picture of her with her daughter sitting and going through a piece of paper. In the background stood the United States flag. She shared the picture with the caption, "Heading into the Senate's introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, I'm grateful and humbled to join with dedicated advocates and legislators."

Jolie on reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act

Jolie added, "I'm also glad to share in the advocacy with Zahara--and for her presence to calm my nerves before today's press conference." During the press conference, the actor pointed out how there has been no reauthorization of the bill in the last 10 years.

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During the press conference, Jolie said that she wants to acknowledge the children who have suffered and were terrified because the legislation took such a long time to act upon the reauthorization. "The women who have suffered through this system with little or no support, they still carry the pain and the trauma of their abuse," she said, adding that the young adults who have suffered and emerged stronger, not because of the child protective system "but despite it."

She also remembered the women and children who died but could have been saved if this Act was passed before. This bill was introduced by Democratic senators Dick Durbin, Dianne Feinstein and Republican senators Joni Ernst and Lisa Murkowski. Emphasising the need to pass this bill, the actor said, "The reason that many people struggle to leave abusive situations is that they've been made to feel worthless. When there is silence from a Congress too busy to renew...for a decade, it reinforces that sense of worthlessness."