HeForShe Campaign Launch Speech by Emma Watson

Introduction

• Emma Watson, British actor and advocate for gender equality.
• Involved in promoting girl's education.
• Recent trips to Bangladesh, Zambia, and Uruguay with UN Women.
• Co-host and Global Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women.

Campaign Launch

• Launching the HeForShe campaign.
• Aim: End gender inequality with involvement from everyone.
• First campaign of its kind at the UN, focusing on men and boys as advocates for change.

The Meaning of Feminism

• Feminism defined: belief in equal rights and opportunities for men and women.
• Addressing the misconception that feminism is synonymous with man-hating.
• Personal journey:
  • Questioned gender-based assumptions since a young age.
  • Noticed gender inequality in various life stages:
    • Age 8: Confusion over being called "bossy".
    • Age 14: Sexualization by media.
    • Age 15: Friends leaving sports due to appearance concerns.
    • Age 18: Observed male friends struggle to express emotions.

The Current State of Gender Equality

• No country has achieved full gender equality.
• Rights of women are human rights.
• Personal privilege:
  • Supportive family and education system.
• Statistics show that very few women have received the same rights.

Historical Context

• Reference to Hillary Clinton's 1997 speech in Beijing on women's rights.
• Less than 30% of the audience were male, highlighting the need for male participation in gender equality discussions.

Invitation to Men

• Men are also affected by gender inequality:
  • Societal undervaluing of fatherhood.
  • Mental health issues among young men.
• Discussing the need for both genders to break free from stereotypes:
  • Aggression vs. submission in gender roles.
  • Importance of sensitivity and strength for both men and women.

Vision for Equality

• Gender should be perceived on a spectrum rather than binary.
• HeForShe is about freedom for all.
• Men should advocate for their daughters, sisters, and mothers, and allow their sons to be vulnerable.

Personal Reflection

• Acknowledgment of her status as a public figure.
• Responsibility to speak out on gender issues.

Call to Action

• Quote from Edmund Burke: "All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing."
• Encouragement to overcome doubts and take action.
• Urgency:
  • 75 years to achieve equal pay if no action is taken.
  • Child marriages and education disparities will persist unless addressed.

Conclusion

• HeForShe as a uniting movement.
• Final invitation to participate and reflect: "If not me, who? If not now, when?"

Reception

• Speech received with applause and a standing ovation.