Learn English with Emma Watson's Speech on the HeForShe Campaign - English Subtitle

Summary

In a powerful speech, the speaker addresses the ongoing struggle for gender equality, emphasizing that both women and men must be involved in the movement. She advocates for equal rights, including equal pay and control over one's body, while recognizing that true gender equality remains unattained globally. Highlighting the impact of gender stereotypes on both men and women, the speaker calls for a society where individuals are free to express themselves without restriction. She encourages men to join the fight for gender equality, for their benefit as much as for women's, urging action to ensure a more equal future for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Women are distancing themselves from identifying as feminists due to the negative associations with the term, like being seen as too aggressive or anti-men.
• 😀 Gender equality is a fundamental human right that is still not achieved in any country worldwide, with women still lacking the same rights as men in many areas.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on her own privileged experiences, including not facing gender-based limitations from her family or mentors.
• 😀 The speaker calls for more people to embrace feminism and highlights the importance of the ideas and ambitions behind the term, rather than just the word itself.
• 😀 A significant gender inequality persists in society, and despite progress, many of the issues raised in Hillary Clinton's 1997 speech about women's rights remain unresolved.
• 😀 Gender equality is not just a women's issue; it also affects men, who suffer from societal pressures and limitations placed on them by rigid gender roles.
• 😀 Men are often discouraged from expressing vulnerability or seeking help due to societal expectations, and this leads to high rates of suicide among men, particularly in the UK.
• 😀 There is a need to free both men and women from harmful gender stereotypes so that they can express sensitivity and strength without restriction.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for viewing gender as a spectrum, where people are defined by who they are rather than rigid, opposing ideals of male and female.
• 😀 The speaker encourages both men and women to join the HeForShe movement, helping to create a more equitable world and ensuring that all people, regardless of gender, are free from prejudice.

Q & A

Why are many women choosing not to identify as feminists, according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that many women find the label 'feminist' uncomfortable, often because they associate it with being too strong, aggressive, isolating, anti-men, or unattractive. This perception has led some women to avoid identifying with the term.

What are some of the fundamental rights the speaker believes women should have?

The speaker believes women should have the right to equal pay, make decisions about their own bodies, be involved in policies that affect their lives, and receive the same respect as men socially.

Does the speaker believe that gender equality has been achieved globally?

No, the speaker asserts that no country in the world has yet achieved full gender equality, and she considers gender equality to be a human right that should be pursued globally.

How does the speaker describe her own experiences growing up?

The speaker describes herself as fortunate, having had supportive parents, an education that did not limit her because of her gender, and mentors who did not assume she would go less far due to the possibility of having children one day.

What is the significance of the speaker mentioning Hillary Clinton's 1997 Beijing speech?

The speaker references Hillary Clinton's 1997 speech in Beijing about women's rights to highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality. She notes that many of the issues Clinton addressed remain unresolved today.

What point does the speaker make about male participation in gender equality conversations?

The speaker points out that less than 30% of the audience at Hillary Clinton's 1997 speech in Beijing were male. She stresses that men must be involved in the conversation about gender equality, as it is a shared issue for both genders.

How does the speaker emphasize the impact of gender stereotypes on men?

The speaker notes that men, like women, are also imprisoned by gender stereotypes. She highlights issues like the devaluation of fathers' roles, men struggling with mental health issues due to societal expectations, and the pressure for men to conform to distorted ideals of success.

What is the relationship between gender equality and men's freedom, according to the speaker?

The speaker argues that when men are freed from rigid gender expectations, women will also benefit. For example, if men are no longer expected to be aggressive to be accepted, women will no longer feel compelled to be submissive. A more fluid approach to gender will benefit everyone.

What is the 'HeForShe' movement, and how is it related to the speaker's message?

The 'HeForShe' movement is a campaign aimed at involving men in the fight for gender equality. The speaker invites men to join this movement, emphasizing that gender equality is not just a women's issue, but one that benefits everyone, including men.

What does the speaker mean by the phrase, 'If not me, who? If not now, when?'

The speaker uses this phrase to encourage people to take action when opportunities arise. It’s a call to not wait for someone else to act or for a later time, stressing the urgency of addressing gender equality issues now.