Yahoo Lifestyle Angelina Jolie speaks out against rape
An emotional Angelina Jolie tackled the difficult subject of rape in a speech at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London on June 10.
The 39-year-old Oscar-winning actress opened at the conference, calling for an end to rape being used as a weapon of war.
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"It's a myth that rape is an inevitable part of conflict. There is nothing inevitable about it," she said.
"It is a weapon of war aimed at civilians. It has nothing to do with sex, everything to do with power. It is done to torture and humiliate innocent people and often very young children."
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Angelina went on to talk about the survivors of rape she has come across in Afghanistan and Somalia, admitting they are just like us, aside from one crucial difference.
She explained: "We live in safe countries with doctors we can go to when we are hurt, police we can turn to when we are wronged, and institutions that protect us. They live in refugee camps or bombed-out streets in areas where there is no law, no protection and not even the hope of justice."
Angelina gave an emotional speech as part of her role as a special envoy for the United Nations. Source: Getty Images
She added: "They struggle to keep their children safe, and if they admit to being raped, they are likely to face more violence and social rejection."
The Maleficent star stressed treating this subject as a "priority" and said: "We need to see real commitment to go after the worst perpetrators, to fund proper protection for vulnerable people and to step in and help the worst affected countries."
The mum of six wrapped up quoting Eleanor Roosevelt, admitting this 'evil' will continue to ruin lives unless we make this summit a turning point.
The Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict took two years to organize.
The actress is set to co-host the four-day conference with collaborator and England's Foreign Secretary, William Hague.
