Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

WATCH: In Vancouver Angelina Jolie Urges Un To Renew Efforts To Stop Sexual Violence In War

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Nov, 2017 12:40 PM

    VANCOUVER — Angelina Jolie delivered a stinging rebuke Wednesday of global efforts to stop the use of sexual violence in war and called on the UN to finally help turn the tide.

     

    The Academy Award-winning actress was addressing foreign dignitaries and military officials attending the two-day United Nations peacekeeping summit, where the role of women in preventing conflict figured prominently.

     

    The meeting also saw a renewed push to prevent the use of child soldiers and better protect children caught in conflict, as attendees unveiled a series of commitments signed by 53 countries.

     

    Canada played a key role in advancing both conversations as host of the meeting and by pledging $21 million to increase the number and role of women in peacekeeping missions and military operations.

     

    The pledge was made amid a growing recognition that female personnel are essential when it comes to many peacekeeping tasks, such as helping victims of sexual violence and interacting with local women in the field.

     

     

    It also coincides with ongoing concerns about peacekeepers themselves sexually abusing or exploiting the very populations they have been ordered to protect.

     

    Yet only 7 per cent of the 13,000 police officers deployed as peacekeepers and two per cent of the 87,000 military personnel are women, and those numbers have remained stagnant despite promises to double them.

     

    During her address, Jolie, who is also a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, listed the many promises, laws and resolutions that have failed to eliminate sexual violence from war.

     

    And she didn't pull any punches as she blasted the UN's failure to increase the number of female peacekeepers deployed on missions, or its efforts to stop peacekeepers from sexually abusing vulnerable populations.

     

    "It has 21 years since the UN first promised to address sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers and to increase the number of women deployed in operations," she said.

     

    "Yet the exploitation of defenceless civilians still takes place. And still less than four per cent of all peacekeepers are women."

     

    But there was also an acknowledgment that a cultural shift is afoot, with Jolie saying that many military leaders have started "to address the taboos around these issues and to take action."

     

    Canada along with the United Kingdom and Bangladesh were singled out for special mention for promising to work together to increase the number of women and better incorporate gender perspectives in their militaries.

     
     

    That initiative was only one of several unveiled by the Trudeau government on Wednesday, along with a pledge of $21 million to boost the number of women in peacekeeping operations around the world.

     

    The money included $6 million to help with reforms at the UN and $15 million for a new trust fund that will be used to help countries increase the number of women in their respective militaries.

     

    The money could be used to facilitate partnerships with other countries that already boast sizable female contingents, and provide incentives to increase the deployment of women into the field.

     

    Several European countries also pledged to dramatically increase the number of female soldiers and police officers assigned to peacekeeping missions.

     

    "I hope they are just the beginning," Jolie said. "We will not only strengthen our societies and improve peacekeeping."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Oprah Winfrey Joins David Foster Foundation Charity Gala In Vancouver

     Oprah Winfrey and Goldie Hawn have joined the lineup for the upcoming David Foster Foundation 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala and Concert in Vancouver.

    Oprah Winfrey Joins David Foster Foundation Charity Gala In Vancouver

    Fentanyl Mostly Responsible For New Height In B.C. Illicit Drug Deaths

    Fentanyl Mostly Responsible For New Height In B.C. Illicit Drug Deaths
    The coroner's service says the 1,013 people who died from overdoses from January to the end of August surpasses a record 982 deaths last year.

    Fentanyl Mostly Responsible For New Height In B.C. Illicit Drug Deaths

    RCMP Stops Using 'Inappropriate' Screening Document Aimed At Muslims

    RCMP Stops Using 'Inappropriate' Screening Document Aimed At Muslims
    The questionnaire was used at the Quebec border crossing that saw an influx of thousands of asylum seekers from the U.S. this summer.

    RCMP Stops Using 'Inappropriate' Screening Document Aimed At Muslims

    Surrey Gang Member Ibrahim Amjad Ibrahim Found Dead In Richmond Park

    Surrey Gang Member Ibrahim Amjad Ibrahim Found Dead In Richmond Park
    A body found in a Richmond’s Garden City Park Tuesday has been identified as that of a 30-year-old Ibrahim Amjad Ibrahim from Surrey.

    Surrey Gang Member Ibrahim Amjad Ibrahim Found Dead In Richmond Park

    B.C. Promises To Earthquake-proof Schools, Two In Vancouver Up For Replacement

    B.C. Promises To Earthquake-proof Schools, Two In Vancouver Up For Replacement
    Two Schools In Vancouver Are Being Replaced So They Will Meet Modern Seismic Standards

    B.C. Promises To Earthquake-proof Schools, Two In Vancouver Up For Replacement

    Mother With Flesh-eating Disease Taking Legal Action Against Halifax Hospital

    Mother With Flesh-eating Disease Taking Legal Action Against Halifax Hospital
    A new mother who was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease days after giving birth and is now a quadruple amputee is taking legal action against a Halifax hospital and several doctors.

    Mother With Flesh-eating Disease Taking Legal Action Against Halifax Hospital