Angelina Jolie addresses the issue of wartime rape at G8 Foreign Ministers meeting
ANGELINA Jolie was among William Hague and the G8 group of leading countries as they vowed to end sexual violence and rape in conflict today.
Speaking at the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting at the Lancaster House hotel in London, the 37-year-old actress took her place on the stand to confirm the agreement.
"Hundreds of thousands of women and children have been sexually assaulted in the wars of our generation," she began with.
"But wartime rape is not inevitable. This violence can be prevented, and it must be confronted. I have heard survivors of rape from Bosnia to (the Congo) say that the world simply does not care about them. But today I believe that their voices have been heard, and that we finally have some hope to offer them.
It is encouraging to see men in leadership positions speaking out against rape. Rape is not a women's issue, or a humanitarian issue, it is a global issue.
"It is encouraging to see men in leadership positions speaking out against rape. Rape is not a women's issue, or a humanitarian issue, it is a global issue," she added.
Meanwhile, Mr Hague likened the crimes to the slave trade, saying rape in war zones is "one of the greatest and most persistent injustices in the world."
"It is almost one of the most neglected," he added as Jolie looked on.
The historic agreement will see money being pledged to fight the crimes that lead to sexual assault.
The agreement will result in money pledged to fight the crimes.
Britain is providing £10million from the budgets of the Foreign Office and Department for International Development.