Angelina Jolie joins Instagram to give voice to the voiceless


The Hollywood actress' first post spotlights 'A Letter from an Afghan Girl'

Social media has made our worlds closer to each other. People from opposite sides of the world can instantly connect with only a few clicks. We get informed by the minute through every post. Fans get a glimpse of the world of their idols through snaps and videos released online. While all of that is great and with social media, without a doubt, becoming more and more essential in today's world, the digital world is not a perfect one. Sometimes, it reeks of negativity with false news, bashing, fake reality, and online wars going on. But do we blame it for what it has become, more importantly, what it has turned us into?

Angelina Jolie (Photo by O.Laban-Mattei from UNCHR)

Teaching every netizen how we can use social media for the better is Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie as she joins photo-sharing platform Instagram. For her first post, she shared images of a letter penned by a girl from Afghanistan, who is currently under crisis.

"This is a letter I was sent from a teenage girl in Afghanistan," the actress posted. "Right now, the people of Afghanistan are losing their ability to communicate on social media and to express themselves freely. So I've come on Instagram to share their stories and the voices of those across the globe who are fighting for their basic human rights."

Among those who welcomed the actress on the platform is the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the UN Refugee Agency—a global organization dedicated to protecting refugees' rights and saving their lives. The "Eternals" star has been serving as the organization's Special Envoy since 2012 after being its Goodwill Ambassador since 2001. With the help of the organization, the actress is able to "engage with decision makers on global displacement issues" and "contribute to the vital process of finding solutions for people forced to flee their homes."

"For two decades, she has been a fierce advocate for refugees, displaced, and stateless people," the organization posted. "Now, at a moment when humanitarian crises are spiraling, over one percent of humanity has been displaced, she will be sharing her experience and continuing to learn here on Instagram."

After nine hours of debuting on Instagram, Angelina already has 3.5 million followers.