• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Kidman Speaks Out About Hollywood Violence Against Women

Posted on: Thursday, 22 October 2009, 14:00 CDT

Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman conceded on Wednesday that the film industry has probably contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects, The Associated Press reported.

Kidman said she is not interested in those kinds of demeaning roles, but defended the movie industry, saying it had also made an effort to contribute to solutions for ending the violence.

The Oscar-winning actress testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee that is looking into legislation that would address violence against women overseas through humanitarian relief efforts and grants to local organizations.

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., asked Kidman if she thought the movie industry has played a bad role.

Kidman said "probably," but quickly added that she herself doesn't.

"I can't be responsible for all of Hollywood but I can certainly be responsible for my own career," she said.

Kidman is a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. Development Fund for Women, known as UNIFEM, which promotes the International Violence Against Women Act.

Kidman told the committee that in the real world, the laws go unenforced and impunity is the norm.

Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., said he and others plan to reintroduce it the legislation, which has stalled in the past.

Kidman told Congress that the U.N. women's fund needs more resources to fund these efforts.

---

On the Net:

• UNIFEM

Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

More News in this Category