Angelina Jolie Makes Powerful Speech About Women's Rights During African Union Summit

Actress is no stranger to flying around the world with her kids for work

Angelina Jolie attended the African Union summit yesterday to speak about the need for a stronger global effort to end violence against women.

The 40-year-old star sat on a panel of foreign leaders and delivered a powerful speech regarding the urgent need to halt the "global epidemic of violence against women—both within conflict zones and within societies at piece."

The U.N. special envoy, who was dressed in a gray Michael Kors dress, added that crimes against women are "still treated as a lesser crime and lower priority."

She continued, "The near-total impunity that exists worldwide for crimes against women, in conflict zones in particular, means that we are seeing more and more armed groups turn it into their weapon of choice. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of extremists that revel in treating them barbarically. This is inextricably linked to our overall failure to prevent and end conflicts worldwide, which is causing human suffering on an unprecedented level."

Jolie-Pitt then went on to tell the packed ballroom that the victims she's met in Africa have "extraordinary resilience, dignity and strength in the face of trials that would break any of us."

She added, "They are some of the most formidable and impressive people I have ever met and they deserve better than to be left alone to suffer…We need policies for long-term security that are designed by women, focused on women, executed by women—not at the expense of men, or instead of men, but alongside and with men."

The mother of six's moving speech concluded with one final, positive note regarding just how crucial education is to a woman's future.

"There is no greater pillar of stability than a strong, free and educated woman, and there is no more inspiring role model than a man who respects and cherishes women and champions their leadership."