The Harry Potter series actress and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson delivered a powerful speech about gender equality at the U.N last Saturday.
This speech contributed well to launch her new initiative, HeForShe. The 24-year old actress’ campaign insists men to take a stand against gender inequality of all types.
Watson clarified certain issues that have been the topic of debate when it comes to gender equality and one point she focused on is the word feminism.
"I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. Women six months ago and the more I've spoken about feminism, the more I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop."
"Feminism," Watson continued, "is, by definition, the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes."
Her speech also focused about how women ‘are choosing not to identify as feminists’ and the word’s evident toxicity saying, "Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, 'too aggressive,' isolating and anti-men, unattractive, even. Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?"
Her campaign does not solely focus on the women but also seeks to reach out to the men expounding on the fact that men can be negatively affected too as much as women.
"Gender equality is your issue too. Because to date, I've seen my father's role as a parent being valued less by society despite my needing his presence, as a child, as much as my mother's. I've seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help, for fear it would make them less of a men—or less of a man. In fact, in the U.K., suicide is the biggest killer of men, between 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I've seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don't have the benefits of equality, either."
According to E! Online, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon was present and even praised the young actress for her efforts. "She's been using her magic wand in her movie. I hope she will use [her] magic want to stop violence against women," he said
