Emma Watson received a standing ovation this week as the actress gave an impassioned speech on feminism and gender at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Earlier this year, Watson was named as a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador and was speaking this weekend to launch the “HeForShe” campaign which aims to propel men into becoming advocates for ending inequalities for women.
Her speech called for action from males allies and added that there was a misconception about feminism in general.
“I decided that I was a feminist,” she said. “This seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently (women’s expression is) seen as too strong, too aggressive, anti-men, unattractive.
Emma Watson received a standing ovation on the day.
“Why has the word become such an unpopular one?” she mused. “I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should make decisions about my own body.
“I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men”.
Her comments were in reaction to recent Women Against Feminism campaigns which she believed portray the feminist cause as “men-hating” and she aims to deconstruct the “us vs. them” mentality.
“You might think: who is this Harry Potter girl? What is she doing at the UN?” she stated. “I’ve been asking myself the same thing. All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make this better.
“Edmund Burke said all that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.”
Video via YouTube/normaljean2
