Emma Watson was announced as a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador in July and in her recent UN speech she described her decision to become a feminist as “uncomplicated” but that she was shocked to find that society associated it with being “too strong, too aggressive, anti-men, unattractive.”
“The more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain is that this has to stop.”
Watson, a UN Women’s Global Goodwill Ambassador, was in NYC to launch #HeForShe, a campaign for men and boys worldwide to advocate an end to gender inequality. She spoke about the role men have in helping women and girls achieve equal rights, and said that liberating men from stereotypes really benefits women in the long run.
Near the end of her speech, Watson made a reference to her Harry Potter fame;
“Why this Harry Potter girl… what is she doing at the UN? but she was quick to address the seriousness of her advocacy, saying:
“All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make this better. And having seen what I’ve seen and given the chance, I feel my responsibility to say something.”
Douglas Booth, who appeared with Watson in Noah, Tweeted a photo showing his support.
To read the full transcript of her speech go here.
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