Emma Watson has launched the HeForShe campaign, reaching out to representatives of the United Nations in a moving speech detailing her own personal battles with gender inequality.
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The 24-year-old actress, most famous for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, spoke of how she was branded “bossy” at 8-years old for speaking her mind, sexualized by the press at 14 and witnessed her friends drop out of sports at the age of 15 due to concerns that their bodies were growing too muscular.
Speaking in New York last week, Watson said: “I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me… Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and unattractive.”
She continued: “I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights.”
Watch her speech in the video below:
Watson called upon men to aid women in championing gender equality, stating that not all feminists are “man-haters” and that the HeForShe campaign is intended to encourage men to take part in the ongoing battle to give women the same amount of rights that men receive.
Those who sign up to be a part of the HeForShe campaign pledge to the following commitment, as detailed on the movement’s official website: “Gender equality is not only a women’s issue, it is a human rights issue that requires my participation. I commit to take action against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls.”
You can read more about the online campaign at HeForShe.org.
Photo: Getty Images
