ENGLISH SPEECH | PRIYANKA CHOPRA: Full Power of Women (English Subtitles)

Summary

Actress and activist Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares her journey from childhood in India to her current advocacy for girls' education and women's rights. She highlights her experiences witnessing gender disparity and the pivotal moment that led her to establish the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for health and education and partner with UNICEF. Emphasizing the importance of education as a basic human right, she calls on fellow influencers to use their platforms to amplify the voices of the voiceless and ensure no generation is lost.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The speaker expresses gratitude and pride to be sharing the stage with incredible women being honored.
• 🎓 Equal opportunities were given to both the speaker and her brother in their upbringing, which is rare in many developing countries, including India.
• 👩‍⚕️ The speaker's parents, who were doctors in the Indian Army, instilled the values of giving back, making service to the less fortunate a way of life.
• 👩‍🔬 The speaker recalls helping her parents as an assistant pharmacist on visits to developing communities, which exposed her to the gender disparities early on.
• 👧 The speaker highlights gender inequality, such as girls being pulled out of school at puberty for marriage, while boys continued their education.
• 💪 A key turning point in her life was when a producer-director told her that girls are replaceable in the entertainment industry, motivating her to become irreplaceable.
• 📚 An encounter with her housekeeper’s daughter, who was denied education in favor of her brothers, deeply moved her and led her to fund the girl's schooling.
• 🏫 The speaker is passionate about girls' education, emphasizing that it is a basic human right and crucial for personal, community, and economic growth.
• 🌍 She has partnered with UNICEF and witnessed their impactful work for children globally, especially those affected by child marriage, war, and sexual violence.
• 🔥 The speaker encourages everyone, especially influencers, to use their platforms to advocate for the voiceless and ensure no generation is lost.

Q & A

Who is the speaker addressing in the beginning of the script?

The speaker is addressing an audience, specifically a group of women being honored, including Octavia, Michelle, Kelly, Patty, and all fifty women mentioned in the impact report.

What is the speaker's background and how does it influence her perspective?

The speaker was born to parents who served as doctors in the Indian Army. This background influenced her perspective by instilling a sense of equality and the importance of giving back to the community, which she emphasizes as a privilege rather than a norm in many developing countries.

What was the speaker's first experience of gender disparity and how did it affect her?

The speaker's first experience of gender disparity was at a young age when she noticed girls being pulled out of school for marriage and denied basic human rights like healthcare, which was a stark contrast to the treatment of boys. This served as her first trigger to become aware of and eventually fight against such disparities.

What role did the speaker's parents play in her early exposure to social issues?

The speaker's parents, who were philanthropic, took her on visits to developing communities where they provided free medical care. This early exposure to social issues and the disparity between the genders shaped her early understanding and later actions.

How did the speaker's early job as an assistant pharmacist influence her future actions?

The speaker's role as an assistant pharmacist at a young age, where she was responsible for counting and distributing medicines, instilled in her a sense of responsibility and seriousness towards her duties, which later translated into her commitment to social causes.

What was a pivotal moment in the speaker's career that made her decide to become irreplaceable?

A pivotal moment in the speaker's career was when a producer-director told her that she could be easily replaced because girls are replaceable in the entertainment business. This motivated her to make herself irreplaceable.

What led the speaker to create the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for health and education?

The speaker was moved to create the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for health and education after encountering her housekeeper's daughter who was pulled out of school due to financial constraints and societal norms that deemed her education a waste of money because she would eventually get married.

How does the speaker view the role of women in shaping the future?

The speaker views women, particularly girls, as having the power to change the world. She emphasizes that a girl's education is not just empowering for families but also for communities and economies, contributing to a better future for all.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of education for girls?

The speaker believes that education is a basic human right and a necessity, especially for girls. She points out that despite progress, girls are still more likely than boys never to set foot in a classroom, highlighting the ongoing need for advocacy and support for girls' education.

How does the speaker define the social responsibility of entertainers and influencers?

The speaker defines the social responsibility of entertainers and influencers as being a voice for the voiceless, using their platforms and voices to contribute to change and ensure that no generation is lost.

What is the speaker's message to the audience at the end of the script?

The speaker thanks the audience for encouraging her and others to keep fighting for the cause, emphasizing the importance of continuing the fight for gender equality and education.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Empowering Women and Girls Through Education

The speaker begins by expressing her gratitude and honor in sharing the stage with inspiring women being recognized. She extends her congratulations to the honorees and acknowledges the impact of their achievements on others. Reflecting on her journey, she recounts her upbringing by parents who were doctors in the Indian Army, emphasizing the equal opportunities she and her brother received, which she recognizes as a privilege in many parts of the world. Her early experiences in a traveling clinic exposed her to gender disparities, such as girls being pulled out of school for marriage and the denial of basic rights to women. These experiences, along with other triggers in her career, led her to establish the Priyanka Chopra Foundation for health and education and to partner with UNICEF. She shares a poignant story about her housekeeper's daughter, whose education she sponsored, highlighting the importance of education as a basic human right.

05:03

🌈 The Power of a Girl's Education

The speaker underscores the transformative power of girls' education, citing a quote that emphasizes the role of women in shaping the future. Despite progress, she points out the stark reality that more girls than boys are denied education, with over 15 million girls of primary school age never learning to read or write. She shares her experiences with UNICEF, witnessing their work with children affected by various adversities. The speaker passionately argues that a girl's education not only empowers individuals but also uplifts communities and economies. She calls on entertainers and influencers to use their platforms to advocate for the voiceless, applauding the women in the room for their commitment to change. She concludes by thanking Variety and the audience for their support in the ongoing fight for gender equality and education.

Keywords

💡Privilege

Privilege refers to a special right, advantage, or immunity granted to a particular individual or group. In the context of the video, the speaker highlights the privilege of receiving equal opportunities, which is not the norm in many parts of the world, especially for girls in developing countries. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and valuing such privileges, as they can inspire others to strive for a more equitable society.

💡Disparity

Disparity denotes a significant difference between two or more things. The script discusses the disparity between the treatment of boys and girls, particularly in terms of education and healthcare. The speaker's early experiences witnessing girls being pulled out of school for marriage and the denial of healthcare to women due to their gender illustrate the theme of gender inequality and its profound impact on society.

💡Philanthropy

Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, or time to help those in need. The speaker's parents are described as philanthropic, taking the speaker and their sibling to provide free medical care in developing communities. This early exposure to giving back is a significant influence on the speaker's values and later philanthropic endeavors, underscoring the importance of social responsibility and the positive impact of philanthropy.

💡Gender Inequality

Gender inequality refers to the unequal treatment or opportunities between genders. The script provides examples of gender inequality such as girls being pulled out of school for marriage and the denial of healthcare based on gender. The speaker's experiences and observations of these disparities are pivotal in shaping their advocacy for girls' education and rights, highlighting the pervasive nature of gender inequality and its consequences.

💡Education as a Right

Education as a right implies that everyone should have access to education regardless of their background. The speaker argues for education as a fundamental human right, particularly for girls. The script mentions the speaker's decision to cover the cost of education for a housekeeper's daughter, demonstrating the belief that education is essential for personal empowerment and societal development.

💡Irreplaceable

To be irreplaceable means to be so valuable or unique that no one else can take one's place. The speaker recounts an incident where they were told they were replaceable in the entertainment industry, which motivated them to become irreplaceable. This concept is tied to the broader theme of individual empowerment and the importance of recognizing one's unique value in a competitive world.

💡UNICEF

UNICEF is the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, an organization that works to provide humanitarian and developmental assistance to children worldwide. The speaker mentions partnering with UNICEF, reflecting their commitment to children's welfare. The script highlights UNICEF's work with child marriage victims, displaced children, and survivors of war and sexual violence, emphasizing the organization's critical role in global child welfare.

💡Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is the idea that individuals or organizations have a duty to act for the benefit of society at large. The speaker, addressing entertainers and influencers, emphasizes their social responsibility to use their platforms and voices to advocate for the voiceless. This concept is central to the video's message, urging those with influence to contribute positively to society and drive change.

💡Voice for the Voiceless

Being a 'voice for the voiceless' means advocating or speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The script encourages the audience to use their influence to amplify the voices of marginalized or oppressed groups. This concept is integral to the speaker's message, as it underscores the power of using one's platform to effect positive change and support those who are often overlooked or ignored.

💡Basic Human Rights

Basic human rights are fundamental rights to which all individuals are inherently entitled. The script discusses the denial of basic human rights such as healthcare and education to girls and women, illustrating the ongoing struggle for gender equality. The speaker's advocacy for girls' education is rooted in the belief that these rights are non-negotiable and essential for a just and equitable society.

💡Empowerment

Empowerment refers to the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights. The video script discusses how a girl's education empowers not just the individual but also her family, community, and the economy. The speaker's commitment to education as a means of empowerment is a central theme, highlighting the transformative potential of education in improving lives and fostering social progress.

Highlights

The speaker congratulates Octavia, Michelle, Kelly, Patty, and all fifty women included in the impact report for their achievements and inspiration.

The speaker reflects on life moments where they ask themselves, 'How did I get here?' and returns to their roots to explain their journey.

Born to doctors in the Indian Army, the speaker emphasizes how they made their parents proud from a young age.

The speaker emphasizes the privilege of being treated equally as a girl in India, where gender inequality is often prevalent in developing countries.

From a young age, the speaker began noticing disparities between boys and girls, such as girls being pulled out of school to marry while boys continued their education.

The speaker shares an early career experience where a producer-director said she was replaceable because 'girls are replaceable in the entertainment business.' This fueled her determination to become irreplaceable.

The encounter with her housekeeper’s daughter, who was denied education while her brothers continued to attend school, was a pivotal moment for the speaker.

The speaker decided to cover the cost of her housekeeper’s daughter’s education, highlighting the belief that education is a basic human right and necessity.

The speaker shares a quote about the irony of how a 'beautiful creation such as a girl child is today one of the gravest concerns facing humanity.'

The speaker asserts that girls have the power to change the world and emphasizes the education gap, citing that 15 million girls will never learn to read or write compared to 10 million boys.

Over 11 years, the speaker has witnessed UNICEF’s work in supporting children affected by child marriage, displacement, war, and sexual violence.

The speaker expresses that girls’ education has a far-reaching impact, empowering families, communities, and economies.

As influencers and entertainers, the speaker believes it is their social responsibility to be voices for the voiceless and advocates for change.

The speaker applauds all the women in the room for using their platforms to contribute to change and ensure there is no lost generation.

The speaker concludes by thanking the event organizers and encouraging everyone to keep fighting for the cause of girls’ education and empowerment.

Transcripts

Good afternoon, and thank you and, wow.

I am so privileged and so honored to be sharing this afternoon with all of you and these incredibly

amazing women that are being honored today.

I'd like to extend my congratulations to each one of you, Octavia, Michelle, Kelly, Patty,

and all fifty women that have been included in the impact report.

Your achievements not just inspire me but also so many others to work harder to be better

and to make a dent wherever we can.

So, I'm very, very proud to be standing alongside you.

So, in life you know there are moments when you stop and ask yourself: “How did I get

here?”

Like: “Why am I standing here?”

Well, this is definitely one of those moments for me and I find myself going back to the

beginning, back to my roots.

I was born to incredible parents, amazing parents who served as doctors in the Indian

Army.

I was the first born and as far back as I can remember I made my parents very proud

and happy 99% of the time.

Okay, slight exaggerations of personal achievements are allowed from time to time, don't you think?

My brother was born a few years later and even then, nothing changed for me.

We were both given equal opportunities, and I want to emphasize this, I want to really

emphasize this for you because I don't think a lot of people might understand that being

equal might seem very normal but where I come from India and a lot of developing countries

around the world more of not this is an exception.

It's actually a privilege.

My first experience of the glaring disparity between boys and girls came at a very, very

young age.

I grew up in a middle-class family with extremely philanthropic parents who constantly reminded

me and my brother how lucky we were and how giving back to those who were less fortunate

was not a choice it was a way of life.

Simple.

I was seven or eight years old when my parents started taking me on these visits in a traveling

clinic to developing communities around and villages around the city that we lived in

called Bareilly.

We were packed into this ambulance and would my parents would provide free medical care

to people who couldn't afford it.

My job at the age of eight was an assistant pharmacist.

I would count all the medicines put them in an envelope and give it out to patients, and

I really took my job very seriously, very seriously.

But the more I went on these expeditions, the more I began to notice the simplest things

that distinguished a boy from a girl or a man from a woman.

For example, girls were pulled out of school when they hit puberty because they were considered

ready for marriage and babies.

That's 12 and 13 while boys still enjoyed their childhood.

Or basic human rights such as health care were denied just because they were women.

Let this, let's call this whole experience trigger number one for me.

Fast-forward a few years and many, many triggers in between.

Like a producer-director for example early on in my career, I must have been about 18

or 19, telling me that if I didn't agree to the ridiculous terms or painfully low salary

in his movie that he would just replace me because girls are replaceable in the entertainment

business.

That was a memorable one.

Made me decide to make myself irreplaceable.

But I think what really moved the needle for me and ultimately led me to create the Priyanka

Chopra foundation for health and education and around the same time partner with UNICEF

was an encounter with my housekeeper’s daughter.

About 12 years ago I came home from set early one day and she was sitting in my library

reading a book and she must have been eight or nine years old and I knew she loved reading.

So, I asked her, I was like, this is, I mean, it's a weekday why aren't you in school?

And she said: “Oh, I don't go to school anymore.”

So, I went and asked her mother and I said, you know: “Why isn't she in school?”

And her mom said that her family couldn't afford to send her and her brother's to school,

so they chose the boys.

The reason, she would eventually get married and it would be a waste of money.

I was completely blown, and it shook me to my core.

Eventually, I decided to cover the cost of her education so that she could continue to

learn because education is a basic human right.

And a huge necessity especially today.

From that point on I was determined to make a difference and as many children's lives

as I could.

In whatever big or small way that I could contribute.

There's a really, really beautiful quote that I read recently, and I think it's absolutely

appropriate to say, to explain what I'm trying to say today.

“The hand that rocks the cradle, the procreator, the mother of tomorrow; a woman shapes the

destiny of civilization.

Such is the tragic irony of fate, that a beautiful creation such as a girl child is today one

of the gravest concerns facing humanity.”

Girls have the power to change the world.

It is a fact and yet today girls are more likely than boys never to set foot in a classroom.

Despite all the efforts and progress made over the last two decades.

More than, I'm just gonna give you a stat, more than 15 million girls of primary school

age will never learn how to read or write compared to 10 million boys.

Primary school it's the beginning of our future.

Over the last 11 years, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible work that UNICEF does for children

around the world.

Especially victims and survivors of child marriage, displacement, war, sexual violence.

But there is still so much work to do.

And for me, that is the fuel to my fire.

The reason I'm so committed to this cause and that is where my passion stems from because

I know that a girl’s education not just empowers families but communities and economies.

A result of her education we all do better.

It's just as simple as that.

As entertainers and influencers sitting in this room I feel that is our social responsibility

to be a voice for the voiceless, which is why I applaud each and every woman in this

room for being such a badass.

For using your platform and your voice to contribute to change and for ensuring that

there is not even one lost generation as long as we are alive.

I'd like to thank variety and all of you for encouraging me and all of us in this room

to keep going and fighting on.

Thank you so much.