There is more to the British actress Emma Watson than playing Hermione in the Harry Potter series. At just 25 years old, she is also a United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador. In September 2014, Emma Watson decided enough was enough and launched the HeForShe campaign that went viral. Her speech has over 7 million views (and counting) and has brought up the conversation around the world about what gender equality is. Gender equality is not only a woman’s issue. It will not be possible to impact the world without the help from men and boys. She calls for their help for advocating for gender equality. Including both genders ensures that a difference will be made. HeForShe focuses on men not only supporting women but each other, too.
“I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice, but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too ...” Emma Watson said. There is a stereotype that men have to be tough and aren't allowed to be emotional. This information is so disturbing that many would rather take their own life instead of asking for help. In 2013, the suicide rate in the United States was four times higher among men than among women. There needs to be revisions to this world that we live in. Men should be able to be vulnerable without being called weak. Without these changes, we will not be able to better our societies. Emma Watson realized that if this world is going to change, then this movement needs to include everybody, not just one gender.
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The HeForShe campaign has focused on several issues that women face every day, and one of the most important topics is the simple word: feminism. “For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes,’” noted Watson. She has noticed that there is a stigma with the word feminism, and she doesn't understand why. “Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and unattractive.”
Why has the world reshaped a word that has helped millions of women and transformed it into something so ugly that many people don't want to be associated with it? There are places in the world where girls are not allowed to go to school. There are companies that do not pay the women equal pay for the same work as done by their male counterparts. There are countries that do not allow women to be involved in the government of their country. There are places where, every day, girls are married as child brides. It’s 2015, and true gender equality has not been attained by any country in the world. Without people like Emma Watson who are trying to make a difference in the world, gender equality will not be achieved.
