Image Source: Amnesty International, Yahoo Movies Canada
Angelina Jolie, an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian, is regarded as one of the most beautiful actresses in the industry. She is regarded as one of the profound actresses in the industry who has earned numerous awards and distinctions for her humanitarian endeavors, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and the honorary Dame Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (DCMG).
The actress is an advocate for a variety of issues that includes conservation, education, and women's rights, but she is most known for her work as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on behalf of refugees (UNHCR). Jolie has visited more than a dozen refugee camps and war zones throughout the world, including Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, and Sudan. Her advocacy towards human rights especially women and children dates back to the early 2000s.
Last month, the Oscar winner and human rights campaigner visited the White House to discuss reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act as well as FBI changes such as improved protection for children who are abused, non-biased forensic evidence collecting, care for children and women who have trauma, and judicial training.
The actress has recently held a book signing event at Skylight Books in Los Angeles to promote her new book, "Know Your Rights and Claim Them: A Guide for Youth," which supports young activists throughout the world who are working to "create a more fair society." The book explains how children's rights can be protected and defended by young people.
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” actress took to her social media to share about her book, “I’m so inspired by young people around the world who are on the front lines of the struggle for human rights. From protecting the environment to fighting inequality and discrimination, they are stepping in to do the work adults should but so far have failed to do. And in refugee camps and conflict areas globally, children are bearing the burden of the consequences of those bad decisions. When children and young people have the agency, power and knowledge to speak up, they can change the lives of both young people and adults, helping to achieve a more equal society. That is the message of our new book, Know Your Rights and Claim Them, which was written in consultation with young activists around the world - and is for them, and all the many young people fighting for their rights globally."
Angelina Jolie, who is set to dazzle the big screen in the upcoming Marvel Studios' "Eternals," hopes that her book, which she has co-written with human rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren QC and Amnesty International. Geraldine is one of the original drafters of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the trio believes that the book would empower children to safely oppose injustices.
The Salt actress is a UNHCR special envoy and is hopeful that her book will remind states of their commitment to the worldwide treaty enshrining children's civil, social, political, and economic rights. “We spent a lot of time blocking those rights, so this book is to give the kids a tool book to say, These are your rights, these are things you need to question to see how far you are from accessing those rights, depending on your country and circumstance, what are your obstacles, others who came before you and fought, ways you can fight”, says the author.
Among the topics covered in the book are identity, justice, education, and protection from danger. It includes information on how to become an activist, how to stay safe, and a glossary of phrases and organizations. Angelina Jolie who works for the rights of women and children believes that the youth must discover their path for the future because everybody is concerned about the safety of the youth. She added further, “We don't want youngsters yelling for their rights and putting themselves in danger.”
The book features remarkable young voices including, Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Greta Thunberg, a climate activist, and Janna Jihad, a 15-year-old Palestinian journalist.
'I was trying to ... show the world what Palestinian children face on a daily basis,' Jihad, who lives in the village of Nabi Salih, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, told Angelina Jolie and other young activists during a video call, attended by Reuters, where they discussed their campaign work.
'It's really important to band together with other young people ... that's the way we will ever be able ... to make a change,' added London-based Christina Adane, 17, who campaigns for a healthier food system.
While announcing her book, Angelina Jolie had mentioned that as a young person, one should know that you have equal rights and status to that of an adult. “Whoever you are, wherever you live, your life of equal value to any adult, or any other young person on the planet. Children have rights just as adults do, and they should have the power and agency to claim them”, she said.
Fans and supporters of the actress welcomed the announcement of the book with an overwhelming response and appreciated her by dropping hearts and positive comments on the post.
The book is available in the United Kingdom today and is available for pre-order in New Zealand, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, and Greece. Along with other countries including South Korea, Denmark, and Germany following close behind, with a worldwide release planned. The actress also added, 'We'll find that certain adults in some countries will ban the book, and the children will find it, so I believe that's how it'll reach more children.”
Angelina Jolie also met with gymnasts McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisam at Capitol Hill. The two testified at a Senate hearing regarding the poor FBI handling of an assault investigation into former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Simone Biles was also one of the three who testified against the doctor.
Angelina Jolie is going to play a fictional warrior named, 'Thena' in Marvel Cinematic Universe's "Eternals" which is set to release on 5th November 2021.
