Angelina Jolie sides with 'Wicked women', here’s why

Angelina Jolie wants the world to have more "wicked women". Like her onscreen character, Maleficent, the Hollywood star, in an op-ed for Elle magazine says that the label on women who are called "unnatural" and "dangerous", ‘’wicked’’ should be used for those women who are tired of injustice and are not ready to give up their voice and rights.

"Since time immemorial, women who rebel against what is considered normal by society-even unintentionally-have been labelled as unnatural, weird, wicked, and dangerous. What is surprising is the extent to which this kind of myth and prejudice has persisted throughout the centuries and still colours the world we live in," Jolie wrote.

The actorhumanitarian reflected on how often string women are branded as ‘coven’ or witches adds,

"Bring together a group of strong women, and before too long someone will brand them a 'coven’? the technical term, to be clear, for a gathering of witches meeting at night to consort with the devil. Women who stand up for human rights in many countries are still labelled 'deviant', 'bad mothers', 'difficult' or 'loose'," she wrote.

Drawing examples from the medieval times where defiant women are accused of witchcraft as a way to control and silence women them Jolie added,

"Women could be accused of witchcraft for having an independent sex life, for speaking their mind on politics or religion, or for dressing differently. Had I lived in earlier times, I could have been burnt at the stake many times over for simply being myself."

The actor, who is an UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, added that her essay was not an attempt to "dismiss or downplay" the abuse against men and boys.

"But looking across the world, we have to ask, Why is so much energy expended to keep women in a secondary position?" she asked.

Jolie then attempted to yield a new connotation to the term "wicked women".

"Looked at in this light, 'wicked women' are just women who are tired of injustice and abuse. Women who refuse to follow rules and codes they don't believe are best for themselves or their families.

"Women who won't give up on their voice and rights, even at the risk of death or imprisonment or rejection by their families and communities. If that is wickedness, then the world needs more wicked women," she wrote.

The actor, who will next be seen reprising her role as Maleficent in "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil’’ ends with a hopeful note, "With love to all the wicked women and the men who understand them’’.