We already knew we loved Emma Watson from her first appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, but now, our appreciation for this young woman grows even more with her involvement in the He for She Campaign.
This campaign, started in 2014 and initiated by UN Women, plans on engaging one million males in the feminism, gender equality, and women’s rights movements. Here are six quotes that Emma Watson has stated over the past year about He for She that perfectly sum up this incredible campaign:
“If you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist.”
That’s a bold statement, and that is essentially the main point of this campaign. She feels that only women tend to support feminism because people think that it is an idea that only directly impacts women. However, she is trying to get men involved by showing that feminism truly does impact everyone. She is trying to break the stigma of feminism only empowering women and show that the word truly is synonymous for gender equality.
“We’re never, ever, ever going to be able to fly as high unless we’re both in support of each other.”
It is imperative than men get involved in the feminist movement in order to equally empower both genders. She is stating that people should simply try and support others, regardless of their gender.
“It’s not about men saving women, and I think that’s a misunderstanding.”
One of the misconceptions about this movement is that men need to get involved in feminism because women cannot achieve their goals without the help of men. Again, feminism is about all genders coming together to grow and support one another.
“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.”
One thing Watson is very adamant that feminism should not be about is hating men. Why would men desire to support women if we do not support men?
“You’re not going to get rid of me until I get to see an equal number of women prime ministers and presidents and CEO’s, and more men that feel like it’s okay to really express how they feel about things.”
Emma Watson means business! She clearly is very passionate about gender equality and empowering the human race as a whole. Whether or not the He For She campaign’s goal is reached by the anticipated July 2016, she is going to continue being a spokeswoman for women’s rights and gender equality.
“It is not the word that is important. It’s the idea and the ambition behind it.”
Watson has recognized the negative stigma that goes along with the word feminism. While this stigma should be broken, she is more focused on getting her ideas across and empowering all genders. Use whatever word or phrase pleases you; she just wants everyone to come together to find a sense of equality between humanity as a whole.
As of November 4, 2015, the number of men involved in this campaign is at 491,659. Join Emma Watson and hundreds of thousands of others to obtain a world where gender equality truly exists. Learn more at www.heforshe.org.