In 2014, actress Emma Watson delivered a powerful speech at the United Nations to launch the HeForShe campaign, with the goal of getting men and boys on board in the fight for gender equality. Here is a look at what she had to say about why this is everyone’s issue.
The Need for United Action
Watson began her speech by highlighting the importance of uniting in order to make change happen. She noted that this was the first-ever campaign of its kind at the UN and discussed how crucial it was to make progress tangible.
Misconceptions About Feminism
The actress shared her personal journey with feminism and how she started questioning gender-based assumptions from a young age. At the same time, Watson acknowledged that many people have become uncomfortable with the word “feminism” due to its wrong association with man-hating. She explained that feminism simply stands for equal rights and opportunities between men and women.
The Role Men Play
Referring to Hillary Clinton’s famous 1997 UN speech on women’s rights, Watson pointed out that less than 30% of audience members were male. She strongly emphasized that gender equality is not merely a female cause but rather an issue that concerns everyone, which is why it is so crucial for men to get involved as well.
Conclusion
Watson concluded her inspiring words by urging men everywhere to join forces in striving for gender equality – a human right which has yet been achieved anywhere in this world despite some progress made thus far.
