London: Angelina Jolie said on Thursday that rape in war zones was preventable and urged foreign ministers of some the world's most powerful nations to boost efforts to bring wartime sex offenders to justice.
Speaking in London after a meeting of Group of Eight foreign ministers including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the actress said the world needed to do more to prevent such crimes.
"Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been sexually assaulted, tortured or forced into sexual slavery in the wars of our generation," Jolie said, flanked by eight ministers in suits and Zainab Hawa Bangura, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflicts.
"Today I believe their voices have been heard and that we finally have some hope to offer them. I welcome the long overdue stand that the G8 has taken," Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said.
G8 foreign ministers agreed to a call for boosting efforts to seek justice for the victims of abuse, including $35.5 million in funding for prevention and response efforts.
"Wartime rape is not inevitable," Jolie said. "This violence can be prevented, and it must be confronted."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the incidence of rape in conflicts from Rwanda to Bosnia-Herzegovina was one of the most neglected injustices in the world.
"We know that a huge number of the victims of sexual violence are children: often very young children and sometimes babies," said Hague. "We know that this violence inflicts unimaginable suffering, destroys families and communities, and fuels conflict."
Speaking in London after a meeting of Group of Eight foreign ministers including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the actress said the world needed to do more to prevent such crimes.
"Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been sexually assaulted, tortured or forced into sexual slavery in the wars of our generation," Jolie said, flanked by eight ministers in suits and Zainab Hawa Bangura, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflicts.
G8 foreign ministers agreed to a call for boosting efforts to seek justice for the victims of abuse, including $35.5 million in funding for prevention and response efforts.
Advertisement
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said the incidence of rape in conflicts from Rwanda to Bosnia-Herzegovina was one of the most neglected injustices in the world.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2013
COMMENTS
Advertisement
With Mouni Roy Enjoying Moulin Rouge In London, 5 More Amazing Musical Shows To Add To Your Bucket List Watch: Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma With Daughter Vamika At Krishna Das' Kirtan In London Heeramandi Actor Taha Shah Badussha Just Had A "Pinch Me" Moment With "Lifelong Idol" Tom Cruise 25,000 Aspirants For Airport Jobs Paying Rs 22,000: A Mumbai Stampede Scare Puja Khedkar's Disability Document Has Factory Address, Ration Card Proof Prank Goes Wrong: Woman Falls From 3rd Floor In Mumbai Building, Dies "This Is The Final Straw": Elon Musk Moving X And SpaceX Out Of California Urvashi Rautela's Bathroom Video Real Or PR Stunt? Internet Debates Siddaramaiah Deletes Post On 100% Quota Bill, Karnataka Minister Clarifies Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.