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Angelina Jolie is working with NATO to combat sexual violence

‘We are very clear that this effort must be about practical results that make a real difference on the ground in conflict-affected areas and in changing attitudes towards women globally,’ says the actress

NATO WORK. US actress and Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Angelina Jolie attends a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary General in Brussels on January 31, 2018. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP
NATO WORK. US actress and Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Angelina Jolie attends a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary General in Brussels on January 31, 2018. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

BRUSSELS, Belgium – Hollywood star Angelina Jolie said Wednesday, January 31, she would work with the NATO military alliance to combat sexual violence.

“As a humanitarian, it’s an interesting step for me,” Jolie told a press conference in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Jolie, a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said she was “honored to be working with (Stoltenberg) over the coming months and years”.

“We are very clear that this effort must be about practical results that make a real difference on the ground in conflict-affected areas and in changing attitudes towards women globally.”

WORKING TOGETHER. Angelina Jolie (L) addresses a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on January 31, 2018, where she will work with them on combating sexual violence. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP
WORKING TOGETHER. Angelina Jolie (L) addresses a press conference after meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on January 31, 2018, where she will work with them on combating sexual violence. Photo by Emmanuel Dunand/AFP

One of the first countries she was likely to visit in her new role was Afghanistan, where women’s rights have struggled as the government and US-backed forces pursue a 17-year-long battle against Taliban militants.

She said part of her NATO role would be “questioning where it needs to improve and change”, for example where it involved civilian casualties in air strikes.

She added: “I am joining NATO as a humanitarian, I am not a military personnel. I am here to help and work on this side on where NATO does training that affects their relationship to citizens on the ground.”

Former Norwegian prime minister Stoltenberg said it was an “honor” to have Jolie involved.

“Together, we must shine a bright light on sexual violence in conflict, the darkest of crimes. Your commitment raises awareness of what more we must do to protect the most vulnerable,” he said. – Rappler.com

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Preda Foundation Inc.

The work of Preda Foundation is focused on alleviating the physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse and suffering of children and preventing abuse through community education and social media.

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