Sex and the City star, UNHCR supporter Kristin Davis says Australia 'major player' in refugee crisis
As a renowned animal rights activist and award-winning humanitarian, Davis has spent many years travelling the world's hot spots, particularly in Africa.
She said she had seen first-hand the "extraordinary" and "outstanding" humanitarian work Australian individuals, NGOs, and private charity organisations were quietly doing in various corners of the world to support refugees and people in desperate need.
"Australians are making a huge impact globally in terms of support for refugees on a global front," Davis said.
"In terms of their support for women in conflict, livelihood building in Congo, in Uganda.
"You're a major player and it's really wonderful to see."
One such example can be found tucked away in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where, thanks to the generosity of individual Australians and philanthropic support, Australia for UNHCR has distinguished itself as the single-largest private sector provider of programs to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
Davis visited some of these programs during a recent trip to the region and heard horrific stories from young women who had been subjected to sustained and brutal sexual violence.
One of the first tasks for the humanitarian workers, she said, was to provide healing.
"It's horrific that it's happening, but it would be even more horrific if those women were not then able to tell people about it and receive the kind of counselling and help that they need," she said.
With women and children making up 83 per cent of the world's 60 million refugees, Davis said "we don't need to be afraid of them, rather we need to be afraid for them".
Davis said gender-based violence, which is used as a weapon of war during conflict, was one of the world's greatest challenges.
But Davis said in the face of such horror, and with such massive numbers of refugees now displaced around the world, there was still a lot she could do.
"My job is to bear witness and to tell the world what I see," she said.
"I feel that we don't have a question about helping them, I think the question is how to best help them."
Davis said people who were lucky enough to be born in countries that were free, safe and plentiful, had a "moral imperative" to help those that were not as fortunate.
This is news to me, and really interesting news.
Kristin has done several impressive interviews with 10 and ABC, she is extremely gracious considering the enormous embarrassment of Sunrise/7 JUMPING THE SHARK, please end this misery.
How the bimbos of breakfast TV disgraced themselves and feminism
Virginia Haussegger
As a woman who has spent 25 years on television, believe me, I ask these questions with great reluctance. And frustration.
What the hell is wrong with those daft women on commercial breakfast TV! Why are they winding up the ditzy dial? And why are they so dead keen to present themselves as mindless bimbos?
There are plenty of pretty women on Australian TV. But when it comes to the important stuff of the day – the stuff that makes the news – there is a screaming lack of representation of women's knowledge, wisdom and expertise.
But seriously, what on earth is going on in Samantha Armytage's head? Not much it would seem, given the pitiful episode she and her gal pals put actress Kristin Davis through on Sunrise on Thursday. It was gender-cringe TV at its worst.
And the sanctimonious nonsense that followed was utterly shameful – with Daddy Bear Kochie sitting in the middle of the couch, flanked by his po-faced girls, pulling their best "we've been hurt and it wasn't our fault" expressions. Oh please!
It was their fault. It was their blithe dismissal of Davis' message, and the purpose of her visit, that obviously left the celebrity activist so offended. And which caused "Australia for UNHCR" to feel compelled to dump the "dumb chicks" ringleader, Armytage, as MC for their fundraising event on Friday.
For those who missed the on-air shenanigans and woefully empty interview, it helps first to know a little background; because you certainly weren't going to get any of this on Sunrise.
Kristin Davis – who played the glamorous Charlotte on the mega popular Sex and the City for six years – is a high-profile supporter of the refugee agency UNHCR. She is energetically using that role to help raise awareness about the horrific levels of sexual violence experienced by refugees.
In her recent trips to UNHCR camps in Africa, she was "blown away" by the Australian-funded programs she witnessed that were helping to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, as well as assist victims. She reached out, via social media, to congratulate the local charity – Australia for UNHCR – and a relationship developed. Eventually the local team invited her Down Under to talk to donors and rally support. And she arrived with some encouraging stories about why Australians should be proud of their work.
So, how do I know all this? Because I interviewed Davis, the day before Sunrise. And we talked, on and off camera, at length.
Over the decades, working for the ABC, Channel 9 and Channel 7, I've done countless celebrity interviews. They are almost invariably disappointing. Celebrities are sometimes dull off camera, disengaged, or simply wedded to their PR brief. But Davis was none of these.
We discussed, among other things, the complexity of UN Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security. But we decided not to discuss it on camera, because as Davis suggested, the heavy detail can obscure her core message about the daily threat of sexual violence facing millions of women and children refugees. That's what she desperately wants people to know about.
So what happened on Sunrise?
Here's how I saw it. Davis is a sexy drawcard and great TV fodder. Of course. As she says, if people will listen to her more readily than read a worthy but wordy report on the work of UNHCR, then she believes she has a "moral imperative" to speak out and use her privileged position.
So, in the spirit of generosity, she turned up at Sunrise, ready to talk. But very quickly she found her hosts, Armytage and David Koch, were not really interested in listening. Well, not to issues about refugees and the rates of sexual violence. The real goal was to get giggling.
"Get on to Sex and the City," urged Koch to Armytage, "you've been wanting to all morning". And she did. With squealing gusto: "You are still so Charlotte. OMG! I'm so excited. I love it!"
And it was all downhill from there.
Soon Armytage and her two gal pals were doing a skit – a very bad one – sending up Sex and the City, as Davis sat to the side looking excruciatingly uncomfortable.
The waste of time was one thing. But the mindless treatment of Davis as little more than a girly play-thing is what the women on this show ought to be ashamed of.
Their nonsense nattering does a major disservice to feminism. If Armytage and Co. don't give a hoot about feminism – fine. But perhaps they should think about women like themselves – glamorous, privileged women who are in positions of power and influence – and how hard others have fought for such women to be taken seriously. To be heard. And to have their views considered worthy of prime time, serious discussion.
There are plenty of pretty women on Australian TV. But when it comes to the important stuff of the day – the stuff that makes the news – there is a screaming lack of representation of women's knowledge, wisdom and expertise.
Which only makes the Sunrise bimbo brigade's antics all that more depressing.
SUNRISE - is sick in my opinion, I cannot watch it, makes me nauseous, will it die???
They make 9 look almost classy.
ABC/24 for me.
I kind of go a bit insane when I see David Koch. And want to kill kill kill. And simultaneously throw up. And then kill kill kill. Kill him. He is horreeeble. Le horreur. (Kill kill).Sex and the City star, UNHCR supporter Kristin Davis says Australia 'major player' in refugee crisis
As a renowned animal rights activist and award-winning humanitarian, Davis has spent many years travelling the world's hot spots, particularly in Africa.
She said she had seen first-hand the "extraordinary" and "outstanding" humanitarian work Australian individuals, NGOs, and private charity organisations were quietly doing in various corners of the world to support refugees and people in desperate need.
"Australians are making a huge impact globally in terms of support for refugees on a global front," Davis said.
"In terms of their support for women in conflict, livelihood building in Congo, in Uganda.
"You're a major player and it's really wonderful to see."
One such example can be found tucked away in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where, thanks to the generosity of individual Australians and philanthropic support, Australia for UNHCR has distinguished itself as the single-largest private sector provider of programs to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.
Davis visited some of these programs during a recent trip to the region and heard horrific stories from young women who had been subjected to sustained and brutal sexual violence.
One of the first tasks for the humanitarian workers, she said, was to provide healing.
"It's horrific that it's happening, but it would be even more horrific if those women were not then able to tell people about it and receive the kind of counselling and help that they need," she said.
With women and children making up 83 per cent of the world's 60 million refugees, Davis said "we don't need to be afraid of them, rather we need to be afraid for them".
Davis said gender-based violence, which is used as a weapon of war during conflict, was one of the world's greatest challenges.
But Davis said in the face of such horror, and with such massive numbers of refugees now displaced around the world, there was still a lot she could do.
"My job is to bear witness and to tell the world what I see," she said.
"I feel that we don't have a question about helping them, I think the question is how to best help them."
Davis said people who were lucky enough to be born in countries that were free, safe and plentiful, had a "moral imperative" to help those that were not as fortunate.
This is news to me, and really interesting news.
Kristin has done several impressive interviews with 10 and ABC, she is extremely gracious considering the enormous embarrassment of Sunrise/7 JUMPING THE SHARK, please end this misery.
How the bimbos of breakfast TV disgraced themselves and feminism
Virginia Haussegger
As a woman who has spent 25 years on television, believe me, I ask these questions with great reluctance. And frustration.
What the hell is wrong with those daft women on commercial breakfast TV! Why are they winding up the ditzy dial? And why are they so dead keen to present themselves as mindless bimbos?
There are plenty of pretty women on Australian TV. But when it comes to the important stuff of the day – the stuff that makes the news – there is a screaming lack of representation of women's knowledge, wisdom and expertise.
But seriously, what on earth is going on in Samantha Armytage's head? Not much it would seem, given the pitiful episode she and her gal pals put actress Kristin Davis through on Sunrise on Thursday. It was gender-cringe TV at its worst.
And the sanctimonious nonsense that followed was utterly shameful – with Daddy Bear Kochie sitting in the middle of the couch, flanked by his po-faced girls, pulling their best "we've been hurt and it wasn't our fault" expressions. Oh please!
It was their fault. It was their blithe dismissal of Davis' message, and the purpose of her visit, that obviously left the celebrity activist so offended. And which caused "Australia for UNHCR" to feel compelled to dump the "dumb chicks" ringleader, Armytage, as MC for their fundraising event on Friday.
For those who missed the on-air shenanigans and woefully empty interview, it helps first to know a little background; because you certainly weren't going to get any of this on Sunrise.
Kristin Davis – who played the glamorous Charlotte on the mega popular Sex and the City for six years – is a high-profile supporter of the refugee agency UNHCR. She is energetically using that role to help raise awareness about the horrific levels of sexual violence experienced by refugees.
In her recent trips to UNHCR camps in Africa, she was "blown away" by the Australian-funded programs she witnessed that were helping to prevent sexual and gender-based violence, as well as assist victims. She reached out, via social media, to congratulate the local charity – Australia for UNHCR – and a relationship developed. Eventually the local team invited her Down Under to talk to donors and rally support. And she arrived with some encouraging stories about why Australians should be proud of their work.
So, how do I know all this? Because I interviewed Davis, the day before Sunrise. And we talked, on and off camera, at length.
Over the decades, working for the ABC, Channel 9 and Channel 7, I've done countless celebrity interviews. They are almost invariably disappointing. Celebrities are sometimes dull off camera, disengaged, or simply wedded to their PR brief. But Davis was none of these.
We discussed, among other things, the complexity of UN Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security. But we decided not to discuss it on camera, because as Davis suggested, the heavy detail can obscure her core message about the daily threat of sexual violence facing millions of women and children refugees. That's what she desperately wants people to know about.
So what happened on Sunrise?
Here's how I saw it. Davis is a sexy drawcard and great TV fodder. Of course. As she says, if people will listen to her more readily than read a worthy but wordy report on the work of UNHCR, then she believes she has a "moral imperative" to speak out and use her privileged position.
So, in the spirit of generosity, she turned up at Sunrise, ready to talk. But very quickly she found her hosts, Armytage and David Koch, were not really interested in listening. Well, not to issues about refugees and the rates of sexual violence. The real goal was to get giggling.
"Get on to Sex and the City," urged Koch to Armytage, "you've been wanting to all morning". And she did. With squealing gusto: "You are still so Charlotte. OMG! I'm so excited. I love it!"
And it was all downhill from there.
Soon Armytage and her two gal pals were doing a skit – a very bad one – sending up Sex and the City, as Davis sat to the side looking excruciatingly uncomfortable.
The waste of time was one thing. But the mindless treatment of Davis as little more than a girly play-thing is what the women on this show ought to be ashamed of.
Their nonsense nattering does a major disservice to feminism. If Armytage and Co. don't give a hoot about feminism – fine. But perhaps they should think about women like themselves – glamorous, privileged women who are in positions of power and influence – and how hard others have fought for such women to be taken seriously. To be heard. And to have their views considered worthy of prime time, serious discussion.
There are plenty of pretty women on Australian TV. But when it comes to the important stuff of the day – the stuff that makes the news – there is a screaming lack of representation of women's knowledge, wisdom and expertise.
Which only makes the Sunrise bimbo brigade's antics all that more depressing.
SUNRISE - is sick in my opinion, I cannot watch it, makes me nauseous, will it die???
They make 9 look almost classy.
ABC/24 for me.
I take it you don't particularly like David Koch very much?
Oh ... I dont really mind him.I take it you don't particularly like David Koch very much?
He is a major dork that's for sure
No I think that interpretation is fair. I am probably not his BIGGEST fan. He probably does have bigger ones.
Abc is ok.not thatI have watchedany of it the last couple of years... But it used to be by far the best. Completely watchable.
Makes a nice headline but I don't think it directly correlates.
News.
