On September 20, 2014 Emma Watson addressed the United Nations from its NYC headquarters to launch a new initiative, HeforShe.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson, of the Harry Potter movie fame, has been the UN’s Women Goodwill Ambassador for the last six months.
Her speech centered around clarifying the definition of feminism and that in no way is feminism a guise for “man-hating.” In fact, she urged both boys and men to advocate for gender equality because it is everyone’s issue. Watson shared her first feelings of confusions surrounding the “gender-based assumptions” she was exposed to that she was “sexualized” starting at the tender age of 14. Watson eloquently suggested that men are also “imprisoned by gender stereotypes” which is why both men and women need to be allies in the fight for gender equality.
“If men don’t have to be aggressive in order to be accepted women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t have to control, women won’t have to be controlled.
Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong… It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.”
She concluded her speech with the introduction of HeforShe, a pledge that boys and men will commit to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.
Watch Emma Watson’s entire speech here:
And be sure to visit HeforShe
