Jolie Urges End To Rape In War

UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) special envoy actress Angelina Jolie (center) greets UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Zainab Bangura before a United Nations Security Council session on June 24.

American actress Angelina Jolie has appeared at the United Nations to urge the world's nations to make the fight against rape in war a top priority.

Jolie, goodwill ambassador for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told the Security Council on June 24 that "hundreds of thousands -- if not millions -- of women, children, and men have been raped in conflicts in our lifetimes."

She also said the Security Council has witnessed 67 years of wars and conflict since it was established "but the world has yet to take up warzone rape as a serious priority."

After Jolie spoke -- along with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon -- the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing that rape can exacerbate conflicts and impedes the restoration of peace and security.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AP