Emma Watson at the HeForShe Campaign 2014 - Official UN Video

Summary

Emma Watson, as UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador, passionately advocates for gender equality in her HeForShe campaign launch speech. She emphasizes the importance of involving both men and women in fighting for equal rights, challenging gender stereotypes, and promoting a spectrum of gender identities. Watson calls for collective action to ensure freedom and equality for all, urging everyone to consider their role in this movement.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Emma Watson is a UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador and advocates for gender equality.
• 📢 The HeForShe campaign is launched to involve men and boys as advocates for gender equality.
• 🔍 Watson emphasizes the need for tangible actions to end gender inequality, not just discussions.
• 🚫 She clarifies that feminism is about equality of rights and opportunities for all genders, not man-hating.
• 🤔 Watson's personal journey with feminism began early, questioning gender stereotypes from the age of eight.
• 🏆 She highlights the importance of gender equality in her own life, benefiting from supportive parents, mentors, and schools.
• 😔 Despite progress, Watson points out that no country has achieved gender equality and many women are not as fortunate as her.
• 👏 She calls for more inadvertent feminists to change the world by challenging gender norms and stereotypes.
• 👨‍👧‍👦 Watson invites men to join the cause, noting that gender equality benefits everyone, including men and boys.
• 💪 She argues that breaking free from gender stereotypes will allow both men and women to be more authentic versions of themselves.
• 🤔 Watson reflects on her own doubts and nervousness, using the questions 'If not me, who? If not now, when?' to encourage action.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the provided transcript and what is her role?

The speaker is Emma Watson, a leading British actor and the UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador.

What is the name of the campaign launched in the transcript?

The campaign launched is called HeForShe.

What is the main purpose of the HeForShe campaign?

The main purpose of the HeForShe campaign is to end gender inequality and to involve as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change.

What does Emma Watson believe feminism stands for?

Emma Watson believes that feminism stands for the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities, and it is the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

At what age did Emma Watson start questioning gender-based assumptions?

Emma Watson started questioning gender-based assumptions when she was eight years old.

Why does Emma Watson believe the word 'feminism' has become uncomfortable for some?

Emma Watson believes the word 'feminism' has become uncomfortable because it has often been misunderstood as synonymous with 'man hating', and some women's expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men.

What does Emma Watson consider to be her life's privilege that has shaped her views on gender equality?

Emma Watson considers her life's privilege to be the fact that her parents, school, and mentors did not limit her opportunities or assume less of her because she was a girl.

What issue does Emma Watson highlight regarding men's mental health in the UK?

Emma Watson highlights that in the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men between twenty to forty-nine, and she attributes this in part to societal expectations that prevent men from seeking help for mental health issues.

What is Emma Watson's view on how gender equality can affect both men and women?

Emma Watson believes that gender equality is not just a women's issue but also men's, as it can free men from stereotypes and allow them to be more sensitive and human, which in turn will benefit women.

What is the historical reference Emma Watson makes regarding the audience composition at a famous speech about women's rights?

Emma Watson refers to Hillary Clinton's famous speech in Beijing in 1997, noting that less than thirty percent of the audience were male, which she sees as a problem for effecting change.

What is Emma Watson's call to action for the audience in the HeForShe campaign?

Emma Watson's call to action is for people to step forward, be seen, and ask themselves 'If not me, who? If not now, when?' in support of the HeForShe campaign.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Introduction to HeForShe Campaign

Emma Watson, a British actor and advocate for gender equality, is introduced as the UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador. She discusses her journey as a feminist, her experiences with gender stereotypes, and the launch of the HeForShe campaign, which aims to involve men and boys in the fight for gender equality. Watson emphasizes the need to redefine feminism and to make it a tangible movement for change, highlighting the importance of involving everyone in the conversation to end gender inequality.

05:02

🙌 The Importance of Gender Equality for All

In this paragraph, Watson shares her privileged upbringing and the impact of inadvertent feminists in her life. She stresses that gender equality is not just a women's issue but a human rights issue that affects men as well. Watson provides examples of how gender stereotypes harm men, such as societal expectations leading to mental health issues and a lack of emotional expression. She calls for a redefinition of gender on a spectrum rather than opposing ideals and invites men to join the HeForShe movement to create a more equal and free society for all.

10:06

🔥 A Call to Action for Inadvertent Feminists

Watson concludes her speech with a call to action, urging the audience to take responsibility and seize opportunities to promote gender equality. She uses the words of Edmund Burke to inspire action against the forces of inequality and challenges the audience to ask themselves, 'If not me, who? If not now, when?' She highlights the current state of gender inequality, including the wage gap and child marriage, and invites everyone to join the HeForShe movement as a unifying force for change.

Keywords

💡Solidarity Movement

A solidarity movement is a social or political initiative where individuals or groups come together to support a common cause. In the script, Emma Watson is supporting gender equality, which is a key theme of the video. The concept is illustrated when she mentions her involvement in promoting girls' education and her humanitarian efforts in various countries.

💡Gender Equality

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of individuals, regardless of their gender. It is the central theme of the video, with Emma Watson advocating for the end of gender inequality and the involvement of everyone, including men, in achieving this goal.

💡HeForShe

HeForShe is a campaign launched by UN Women, aiming to involve men and boys as advocates for gender equality. The campaign is mentioned as the first of its kind at the UN and is the main focus of Watson's speech, where she calls for tangible actions and the involvement of men to bring about change.

💡Feminism

Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights based on the belief in equality of the sexes. In the script, Watson clarifies the definition of feminism and challenges the misconception that it is synonymous with man-hating. She also discusses the negative connotations that have become associated with the term.

💡UN Women

UN Women is the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. Emma Watson is introduced as the UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador, and her role involves promoting gender equality and advocating for the rights of women.

💡Advocacy

Advocacy is the act of supporting a cause or policy. In the context of the video, Watson is an advocate for gender equality, and she encourages others to become advocates for change, emphasizing the need for action beyond just discussion.

💡Gender Stereotypes

Gender stereotypes are widely held but fixed and oversimplified ideas about the characteristics, abilities, and roles that, according to society, men and women should have. Watson points out that both men and women are affected by these stereotypes and that breaking free from them is essential for achieving true gender equality.

💡Human Rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms to which all individuals are entitled, without discrimination. Watson considers the rights she discusses in her speech, such as equal pay and the right to make decisions about one's own body, to be human rights that should be universally recognized and respected.

💡Inadvertent Feminists

Inadvertent feminists are those who may not identify as feminists but whose actions and beliefs contribute to the cause of gender equality. Watson uses this term to describe the people in her life who have influenced her without necessarily knowing they were fostering feminist ideals.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to the state of an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. Watson highlights the issue of men suffering from mental health issues due to societal expectations and the fear of appearing less masculine, which is a significant aspect of the gender equality discussion.

💡Prejudice

Prejudice is a preconceived opinion or judgment that is not based on reason or actual experience. In the script, Watson calls for an end to prejudice against women, which is a form of discrimination that perpetuates gender inequality.

Highlights

Emma Watson introduces herself as a leading British actor and advocate for gender equality.

She has been involved in promoting girls' education and has visited Bangladesh and Zambia as part of her humanitarian efforts.

Emma recently returned from Uruguay on her first mission with UN Women.

The launch of the HeForShe campaign, aimed at ending gender inequality and involving everyone.

The campaign seeks to galvanize men and boys as advocates for change and make gender equality tangible.

Emma was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women six months prior to the speech.

She emphasizes that fighting for women's rights should not be synonymous with man-hating.

Feminism is defined as the belief in equal rights and opportunities for men and women.

Emma shares her personal experiences questioning gender-based assumptions from a young age.

She discusses the negative connotations and misunderstandings surrounding the word 'feminist'.

Emma highlights the importance of equal pay and decision-making for women.

She points out that no country in the world has achieved gender equality yet.

Emma acknowledges her privileged life due to the support of her parents, school, and mentors.

She calls for more inadvertent feminists to change the world by challenging gender stereotypes.

Emma invites men to join the conversation on gender equality, emphasizing it is their issue too.

She discusses the negative impacts of gender stereotypes on men, such as mental health issues and societal expectations.

Emma envisions a world where gender is perceived as a spectrum rather than opposing ideals.

The HeForShe campaign is about freedom and allowing both men and women to be their true selves.

Emma addresses potential doubts and encourages taking action with the questions 'If not me, who? If not now, when?'

She concludes by emphasizing the importance of the HeForShe movement and the need for collective action.

Transcripts

And now let's turn to a young woman who has chosen to lend her voice to this very important solidarity movement.

She's a leading British actor, an advocate for gender equality in her own right. She's been involved with a promotion of girl's education for several years.

As part of her humanitarian efforts she has visited Bangladesh, Zambia.

Recently returned as we just heard from Uruguay on her first mission with UN women.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming to this stage our co-host and the UN Women's Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson.

*clapping*

*handshakes*

*more clapping*

*clapping dies down*

Your Excellencies, UN Secretary General, President of the General Assembly, Executive Director of UN Women, and distinguished guests.

Today, we are launching a campaign called HeForShe.

I am reaching out to you because we need your help.

We want to end gender inequality, and to do this we need everyone involved.

This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN.

We want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change.

And we don't just want to talk about it, we want to try to make sure that its tangible.

I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for UN women six months ago.

And the more I've spoken about feminism, the more 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.

For the record, feminism by definition is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

It is the theory of political, economic, and social equality of the sexes.

I started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago.

When I was eight.

I was confused being called "bossy".

Because, I wanted to direct the plays that we would put on for our parents.

But the boys were not.

When at fourteen, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media.

When at fifteen, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams because they didn't want to appear "muscle-y".

When at eighteen, my male friends were unable to express their feelings.

I decided that I was a feminist.

And this seemed uncomplicated to me.

But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.

Women are choosing not to identify as feminist.

Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong

Too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men.

Unattractive even.

Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?

I am from Britain and I think it is right that 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-

*cut off by applause*

*lots of clapping*

I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that will affect my life.

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.

No country in the world can yet say that they have achieved gender equality.

These rights, I consider to be human rights.

But I am one of the lucky ones.

My life is a sheer privilege because my parents didn't love me less because I was born a daughter.

My school did not limit me because I was a girl.

My mentors didn't assume that I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day.

These influences with the gender equality ambassadors, that made me who I am today.

They may not know it, but they are the inadvertent feminists who are changing the world today.

We need more of those, and if you still hate the word it is not the word that is important.

It's the idea and the ambition behind it.

Because not all women have received the same rights that I have.

In fact, statistically very few have been.

In 1997, Hillary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women's rights.

Sadly many of the things that she wanted to change are still true today.

But what stood out for me the most, was that less than thirty percent of the audience were male.

How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited?

Or feel welcomed to participate in a conversation?

Men,

I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation.

*really loud applause*

*applause dies down*

Gender equality is your issue too.

Because to date, I have seen my father's role as a parent being valued less by society.

Despite my needing his presence as a child as much as my mother's.

I've seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a men or less of a man.

In fact, in the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men between twenty to forty-nine eclipsing road accidents, cancer, and coronary heart disease.

I've seen men made fragile and insecure by distorted sense of what constitutes male success.

Men don't have the benefits of equality either.

We don't often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are.

And that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence.

If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won't feel compelled to be submissive.

If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled.

Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive.

Both men and women should feel free to be strong.

It is time that we all perceived gender on a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.

If-

*gets cutoff again*

*clapping*

If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are we can all be free-er.

And this is what HeForShe is about.

It's about freedom.

I want men to take up this mantle, so that their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice.

But also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too.

We claim those parts of themselves they abandoned.

And in doing so, be a more true and complete version of themselves.

You might be thinking "Who is this Harry Potter girl?" and "What is she doing speaking at the UN?" and it's really good question.

I've been asking myself the same thing.

All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make it better.

And having seen what I seen and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something.

Statesman Edmund Berke said "All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing."

In my nervousness for this speech and in my moments of doubt, I've told myself firmly:

"If not me, who?"

"If not now, when?"

If you have similar doubts when opportunities are presented to you, I hope that those words will be helpful.

Because, the reality is that if we do nothing it will take seventy-five years or for me to be nearly one-hundred before women can expect to be paid the same as men.

For the same work.

Fifteen-point-five million girls will be married in the next sixteen years as children.

And at current rates, it won't be until 2086 before all rural African girls can have a secondary education.

If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists that I spoke of earlier and for this I applaud you.

We are struggling for a uniting word but the good news is that we have a uniting movement.

It is called HeForShe.

I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen, and to ask yourself

"If not me, who?"

"If not now, when?"

Thank you very very much.

*applause*

*standing ovation*

*claps*

What a beautiful beautiful speech--Ah--What a beautiful thought, Emma.

Pay attention.