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9 seriously important quotes from Emma Watson’s speech on feminism

Emma Watson, the 24-year-old actress who portrayed everyone’s favourite magical bookworm, Hermione Granger, in the Harry Potter series launched the HeForShe campaign at the UN Headquarters recently with a rather touching, heartfelt and intelligent speech about feminism and gender, according to Vanity Fair.

Her speech, which was met with a standing ovation, called for more feminists and for men to advocate gender equality. Since being appointed six months ago, Emma spoke about the stigma against feminism and those who fight for women’s rights. “...The more I have 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,” she said in her speech.

By involving men and women in the HeForShe campaign, Emma hopes to change the way we all think about gender inequality - making it an important issue for both men and women.

Here, we highlight some of the most important things in Emma’s speech:

“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.’”

“I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive.”

“I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman 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 it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. 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 they have achieved gender equality.”

“How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation? Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.”

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

“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 perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.”

“You might be thinking who is this Harry Potter girl? And what is she doing up on stage at the UN. It’s a good question and trust me I have been asking myself the same thing. I don’t know if I am qualified to be here. All I know is that I care about this problem. And I want to make it better.”

You can read a full transcript of the speech over at Buzzfeed.

Or watch the video below.



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