09
May
2017

Priyanka Chopra meets survivors of sexual violence in Zimbabwe

09 May 2017 | Angelopedia

Former Miss World, renowned Bollywood actress and now a Hollywood fame, Priyanka Chopra never fail to impress. The beauty queen was appointed as the UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador last year, and on being appointed Priyanka said, "My wish for children is freedom. The freedom to think, the freedom to live."

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Miss World 2000 Priyanka Chopra has already started off with her journey as the Goodwill Ambassador and has called for increased awareness and support for child victims of sexual violence. She made a visit to Zimbabwe, where she met child survivors of sexual violence and heard their harrowing stories. “When I met these survivors, young brave women and children, and listened to their experiences, it just broke my heart,” said Chopra. “I will never forget their stories.”

 

Priyanka Chopra meets child survivors of sexual violence in Zimbabwe

 

She further added, “As a society, it is on us to provide and take care of our children as citizens of the world, to educate children at a young age that it’s not OK to be inappropriately touched and that under-age sex can lead to unwanted teen pregnancy or HIV.

On her visit to Zimbabwe, Priyanka travelled to Childline Zimbabwe, which is the country’s 24hrs service for children who have abused, violated or exploited. Priyanka Chopra has not just made her country proud, but the beauty has also stood faithful to her title of Miss World 2000. Priyanka Chopra was always sure and confident of what she wanted in her life, even when she was 17 and competing for the coveted title of Miss World 2000. During one of the Questions asked at the Miss World finals, that said, "What do you want to happen after this, obviously you would like to win but if you won is this a stepping stone to something else in life?", Priyanka said something that still stands valid and true for her journey.

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The beauty queen answered, “Well it’s a stepping stone to anything I want to do because Miss World is a platform where I get a chance to influence people’s thoughts, mind, and action which is the biggest power of them all. And to be able to do that will give me the power to help people understand what their rights are and what they can be, the best they can be."

This is exactly what the beauty is busy doing these days; helping people understand their rights. Priyanka Chopra also said how she is shocked by the level of sexual violence against children in Zimbabwe, with government officials telling her many young girls are actually ‘asking for it’. The beauty said that the incident was an eye opener for her. Meeting girls who had been shunned by society and thrown out of their homes after being raped, was a shocking experience for the beauty.