Angelina Jolie Pitt today appealed to foreign ministers in Africa to lead the fight against rape in war on their continent.
The world-famous actress pleaded with them to ensure that a landmark agreement, signed in London a year ago, to combat sexual violence in conflicts is put into practice on the ground to stop horrific abuses.
Before addressing the foreign ministers in Johannesburg, she said: “There is a global epidemic of violence against women which can no longer be tolerated, and must be addressed.
“Every individual in society has a role to play in achieving this change.”
She co-hosted last year’s London gathering with the then Foreign Secretary William Hague and it saw more than 150 countries backing a protocol on tackling sexual violence in war zones.
“As we mark one year since the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, we are determined to continue the campaign to end impunity for these crimes,” said Mr Hague.
“We need action on a broad front and in many different nations — changing attitudes through education and leadership, eroding impunity by holding perpetrators to account, and helping survivors rebuild their lives.
“The member states of the African Union are a vital part of this effort.”
Ms Jolie Pitt and Mr Hague spoke with victims of sexual violence and activists leading the campaign against it at the office of the British High Commissioner to South Africa, Judith Macgregor, in Johannesburg yesterday.
The meeting was “very moving but also rich with ideas for future action to help us fight this widespread but all too often unchallenged evil”, Ms Mac- gregor said afterwards.
In Iraq, Islamic State fanatics have carried out systematic rape and other sexual violence against women, children and men. British military experts have trained 700 Kurdish fighters on how to identify victims of these atrocities and offer support to them.Foreign Office minister Baroness Anelay, appointed earlier this week by David Cameron as his Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said: “The scourge of sexual violence has no place in today’s world. To those who commit these barbarous acts, our message is clear: we will not allow you to deny your crimes, and we will hold you to account.”
