On September 21, 2014, British actress Emma Watson gave a groundbreaking speech to the UN council, launching her new campaign “HeForShe.” Watson, who is also a UN Goodwill Ambassador, presented her new campaign specifically focusing on gender equality.
In her speech to the council, Watson took the basic ideas of feminism, and altered them so that both men and women can have equal opportunities in life.
Watson stated during her speech that she identifies herself as a feminist, however, others are put off by the word due to its “negative” connotation.
“[When it comes to feminism] I have realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man hating…This [assumption] has to stop,” she states in the beginning of her speech.
Not only was feminism included Watson’s address, but she also made it a point to mention the importance of men, as well and their vulnerabilities. Once men reach the young adult stage, most cannot typically verbally express how they feel, fearful that they will be labeled as “soft” or “feminine.”
So far, on the HerForShe website, more than 148,000 people have signed up to take action and spread the word of gender equality. Of those people, 43,000 men in the United States have taken the pledge.
For more information about HerForShe, visit HeForShe.org and see what you can do to stop gender inequality.