HeForShe, a solidarity movement for gender equality by the United Nations (UN) Women held a special event at its UN Headquarters in New York on September 20. Amidst many representatives from across the globe, Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, moved the audience with her speech.
Watson, who has been working with UN Women as a Global Godwill Ambassador, spoke about the importance of Gender Equality and Feminism in her speech. "I have realised 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... How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation?" she said. On Feminism, she urged that "it is not the word that is important, but the idea and the ambition behind it." Calling for young people to step forward and take a pledge to support a girl child, she also threw light on the statistics of girl child education in Africa and equal pay opportunities for men and women. Watson's concluding lines read, "In my moments of doubt, I have told myself firmly. If not me then who. If not now then when. I am asking you to step forward and ask the same." The speech earned her a standing ovation.
The HeForShe campaign throws light on the fact that in recent years, men have begun to stand up to address inequalities and discrimination faced by women.
UN Women is the organisation's wing dedicated to gender equality and empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide.
Watch Emma Watson's speech here: