speech emma watson

Emma Watson: Gender equality is your issue too

Date: Saturday, 20 September 2014

Speech by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson at a special event for the HeForShe campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 September 2014

[Check against delivery.]

Today we are launching a campaign called “ HeForShe .”

I am reaching out to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality—and to do that we need everyone to be 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 gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is tangible.

I was appointed six months ago and 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.

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 started questioning gender-based assumptions when at eight I was confused at being called “bossy,” because I wanted to direct the plays we would put on for our parents—but the boys were not.

When at 14 I started being sexualized by certain elements of the press.

When at 15 my girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscly.”

When at 18 my male friends were unable to express their feelings.

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.

Why is the word such an uncomfortable one?

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.

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 I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one day. These influencers were 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. And we need more of those.

And if you still hate the word—it is not the word that is important but the idea and the ambition behind it. Because not all women have been afforded the same rights that I have. In fact, statistically, very few have been.

In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly many of the things she wanted to change are still a reality today.

But what stood out for me the most was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. 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.

Because to date, I’ve 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 look less “macho”—in fact in the UK suicide is the biggest killer of men between 20-49 years of age; eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I’ve seen men made fragile and insecure by a 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 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 perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideals.

If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are—we can all be freer and this is what HeForShe is about. It’s about freedom. 

I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice but also so that their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human too—reclaim 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 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.

And having seen what I’ve seen—and given the chance—I feel it is my duty to say something. English Statesman Edmund Burke said: “All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough 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 those words might be helpful.

Because the reality is that if we do nothing it will take 75 years, or for me to be nearly a hundred before women can expect to be paid the same as men for the same work. 15.5 million girls will be married in the next 16 years as children. And at current rates it won’t be until 2086 before all rural African girls will be able to receive a secondary education.

If you believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists I spoke of earlier.

And for this I applaud you.

We are struggling for a uniting word but the good news is we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I am inviting you to step forward, to be seen to speak up, to be the "he" for "she". And to ask yourself if not me, who? If not now, when?

Also available in: French ; Spanish ; Portuguese

To see a video of Emma delivering her speech, visit HeForShe.org

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Full Transcript of Emma Watson's 2016 U.N. Speech on Gender Equality

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Actress Emma Watson, a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador , has used her fame and activism to shine a spotlight on gender inequality and sexual assault at universities and colleges around the world. In September 2016, the "Harry Potter" star delivered a speech about the gender double standards that many women encounter when they study and work at universities. 

This address was a followup to a speech she made two years earlier after launching a gender equality initiative called HeForShe at the U.N. headquarters in New York . Then, she focused on global gender inequality and the role that  men and boys must play to fight for justice for girls and women . Her 2016 speech echoed these concerns while specifically focusing on sexism in academia.

Speaking Out for Women

A feminist , Emma Watson used her September 20, 2016, appearance at the U.N. to announce the publication of the first  HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 University Parity Report . It documents the pervasiveness of gender inequality across the globe and the commitment 10 university presidents made to fight this problem.

During her speech, Watson linked the gender disparities on college campuses to the widespread problem of sexual violence that many women experience while pursuing higher education. She said:

Thank you all for being here for this important moment. These men from all over the world have decided to make gender equality a priority in their lives and in their universities. Thank you for making this commitment.

I graduated from university four years ago. I had always dreamed of going and I know how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to do so. Brown [University] became my home, my community, and I took the ideas and the experiences I had there into all of my social interactions, into my workplace, into my politics, into all aspects of my life. I know that my university experience shaped who I am, and of course, it does for many people.

But what if our experience at university shows us that women don't belong in leadership? What if it shows us that, yes, women can study, but they shouldn't lead a seminar? What if, as still in many places around the world, it tells us that women don't belong there at all? What if, as is the case in far too many universities, we are given the message that sexual violence isn't actually a form of violence?

But we know that if you change students' experiences so they have different expectations of the world around them, expectations of equality, society will change. As we leave home for the first time to study at the places that we have worked so hard to get, we must not see or experience double standards. We need to see equal respect, leadership, and pay .

The university experience must tell women that their brain power is valued, and not just that, but that they belong among the leadership of the university itself. And so importantly, right now, the experience must make it clear that the safety of women, minorities, and anyone who may be vulnerable is a right and not a privilege. A right that will be respected by a community that believes and supports survivors. And that recognizes that when one person's safety is violated, everyone feels that their own safety is violated. A university should be a place of refuge that takes action against all forms of violence.

That's why we believe that students should leave university believing in, striving for, and expecting societies of true equality. Societies of true equality in every sense, and that universities have the power to be a vital catalyst for that change.

Our ten impact champions have made this commitment and with their work we know they will inspire students and other universities and schools across the world to do better. I'm delighted to introduce this report and our progress, and I'm eager to hear what's next. Thank you so much.

Reaction to Watson's Speech

Emma Watson's 2016 U.N. speech on gender equality on college campuses has netted more than 600,000 YouTube views . In addition, her words garnered headlines from publications such as Fortune , Vogue , and Elle .

Since the actress, a Brown University graduate, gave her speech, new challenges have emerged. In 2016, Watson was hopeful that the United States would elect its first female president. Instead, voters elected Donald Trump, who appointed Betsy DeVos as his education secretary. DeVos has overhauled how colleges respond to sexual assault claims , making procedures more difficult for victims, her critics argue. They say the proposed changes to Obama-era educational policies will make women more vulnerable on college campuses.

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Watch CBS News

Emma Watson gives powerful UN speech about gender equality

By Jessica Derschowitz

September 22, 2014 / 12:50 PM EDT / CBS News

Emma Watson was named a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador earlier this summer, and now the actress and recent college graduate is speaking out about gender equality.

Watson gave a powerful speech at the United Nations headquarters in New York over the weekend to launch the HeforShe campaign, aimed at getting men and boys to become advocates against the inequalities faced by women and girls around the world.

In her address, the 24-year-old actress spoke passionately about the misconceptions surrounding feminism.

"I decided that I was a feminist. 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 feminists. Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men, unattractive even," she said.

"Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?" Watson asked. "I think it is right 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 decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men."

The HeForShe campaign aims to get 100,000 men to pledge their commitment to ending gender inequality. " Men, I would like to give this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue, too," Watson said.

She continued, "I've seen my father's role as a parent being valued less by society. I've seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man ... I've seen men fragile and insecure by 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."

Watson's association with the "Harry Potter" films will always follow her, and she acknowledged that those who know her from the films may not take her advocacy work seriously.

"You might think, 'Who is this "Harry Potter" girl? What is she doing at the UN?' I've been asking myself the same thing," she said. "All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make it better. And having seen what I've seen and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something. Statesman Edmund Burke said all that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing."

You can watch Watson's entire speech below:

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Emma Watson's UN speech: gender equality is a men's issue too – video

Source: United Nations Webcast

Mon 22 Sep 2014 08.18 BST First published on Mon 22 Sep 2014 08.18 BST

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The 7 Most Amazing Points Emma Watson Made in Her United Nations Speech

We’re blown away by her powerful words on gender equality.

1. The gender-equality movement is not anti-men : "I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. 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."

2. Many people misunderstand what feminism really is : "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 started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago."

3. Expectations about how women should behave are made clear from a young age : "When I was eight, I was confused about 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 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. When at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams because they didn't want to appear 'muscle-y.' When at 18, my males friends were unable to express their feelings; I decided that I was a feminist.”

4. Men absolutely must get involved : "I want men to take up this mantle so their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice—but also so their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human, too, and in doing so, be a more true and complete version of themselves."

5. Everyone benefits from a more equal world : "Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. … Gender equality is your issue, too. … 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. I've seen men made fragile and insecure by a distorted sense of what constitutes male success. Men don't have the benefits of equality, either."

6. Men suffer from gender stereotypes, too : "We don't want to talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are. When they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don't have to be aggressive, women won't be compelled to be submissive. If men don't need to control, women won't have to be controlled."

7. It's not enough to expect others to effect change : “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."

You can watch Emma's full speech in the video below:

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Watch Emma Watson Deliver a Game-Changing Speech on Feminism for the U.N. (UPDATED)

By Joanna Robinson

Earlier this summer, fresh from college graduation , Emma Watson , was named a U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador. Though the ripples of her involvement over the past few months can be seen online ( crashing the U.N. Web site , using Twitter to denounce a sexist politician in Turkey or respond to the gender politics of the recent celebrity nude photo hack ), Watson’s power in person is an entirely different matter.

The actress gave an impassioned speech on feminism and gender at the U.N. headquarters in New York this weekend to launch the “HeForShe” campaign which aims to galvanize one billion men and boys as advocates for ending the inequalities that women and girls face globally.

Watson’s speech, which was met with a thunderous standing ovation, not only called for action from male allies, but clarified a persistent misconception about feminism in general. She said :

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. Why is the word such an uncomfortable one? 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.

Watson is pushing back against recent campaigns like Women Against Feminism . As Watson puts it elsewhere in her speech, these campaigns portray the feminist cause as “man-hating.” By involving both genders in the HeForShe campaign, Watson hopes to abolish the “us vs. them” mentality.

Watson is potentially in an even better position than many of her peers to do so. Her role as Hermione Granger, the universally adored heroine of the Harry Potter series, gives her an automatic in with male and female millenials. This is a rare case where an actor being conflated with their role might be a good thing. In this way, her widespread influence on young minds (still forming their opinions on gender roles and advocacy) is even stronger than other high-profile defenders of the F-word like Beyoncé .

Watson’s Harry Potter association also carries with it a disadvantage –– the fear she might not be taken seriously. She addresses this concern in her speech :

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. And having seen what I’ve seen—and given the chance—I feel it is my duty to say something. English statesman Edmund Burke said: “All that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for enough good men and women to do nothing.”

By Julie Miller

By Chris Murphy

By Savannah Walsh

That Harry Potter association will always follow Watson. Even U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon joked, “She’s been waving a magic wand. I hope you use your magic wand to end violence against women!” But with her serious approach to advocacy, it’s impossible to laugh off Watson’s message. You can watch her entire speech here:

Update (7:33 P.M.): An earlier version of this article did not contain video of Watson’s speech.

Celebrity Goodwill Ambassadors

Joanna Robinson

Joanna robinson is a senior staff writer at *vanity fair.*.

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By Kase Wickman

HeForShe U.N. speech - Sept. 21, 2014

Your excellencies, U.N. Secretary General, President of the General Assembly, Executive Director of U.N. 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 U.N. 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 and make sure that it's tangible.

I was appointed as goodwill ambassador for U.N. 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 the 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 for being called bossy because I wanted to direct the plays that we would put on for our parents, but the boys were not. When I was 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media. When at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams because they didn't want to appear muscly. When at 18, 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 feminists. 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 it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that will effect 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 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 were the gender inequality 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 30 percent of the audience were male. How can we effect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcomed to participate in the conversation? Men, I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation.

Gender equality is your issue too. Because to date, I've 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 20 to 49, eclipsing road accidents, cancer and coronary heart disease. I've seen men made fragile and insecure by a 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 perceive gender on a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals. If we stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are, we can all be freer, and this is what HeForShe is about. It's about freedom. I want men to take up this mantel 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, reclaim 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? What is she doing speaking at the U.N.? And, it's a 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've seen and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something.

Statesman Edmund Burke 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 75 years, or for me to be nearly a 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 16 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.

Speech courtesy of http://www.upworthy.com/her-voice-might-tremble-but-emma-watsons-message-is-strong-and-clear .

Neither the Catt Center nor Iowa State University is affiliated with any individual in the Archives or any political party. Inclusion in the Archives is not an endorsement by the center or the university.

Emma Watson’s UN speech: what our reaction says about feminism

Research Fellow, Centre for Memory, Imagination and Invention, Deakin University

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It is now more than a week since actress Emma Watson delivered what has repeatedly been described as a “game-changing” speech about sexism at the United Nations New York headquarters. The response to the speech, which launched the UN’s HeForShe campaign for gender equality, has been massive, but not universally positive.

Watson’s speech , which extended a “formal invitation” to men to participate in conversations about gender equality, has been highly praised, radically critiqued, and acted as a spur to a bizarre hoax involving a threat to publish nude photographs of Watson.

Just how can young feminists get their message across in such a complicated climate?

Did Watson really change the game?

Much of Watson’s speech contained fairly basic points about feminism that have nevertheless been distorted in light of the increasing normalisation of anti-feminism, as is evident in the #womenagainstfeminism hashtag. Watson is right that feminism is not innately about “man hating”. Nevertheless, a number of feminists have clarified that not hating men does not necessarily equate to needing the direct involvement of men to advance women’s rights.

As Mia McKenzie points out at Black Girl Dangerous, it is simplistic to assume men have not been involved in work toward gender equality simply because they haven’t been “invited”. McKenzie argues that the more logical reason why men have not been extensively involved is because they “benefit HUGELY (socially, economically, politically, etc. infinity) from gender inequality and therefore have much less incentive to support its dismantling”.

A number of feminists, including Australian journalist Clementine Ford , took issue with Watson’s emphasis on “men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes” and men’s “freedom” being the key to changing the situation for women. As Ford notes, while patriarchal structures do have some negative consequences for men, their affect on men is different and not as “drastically violent” as their toll on women. Moreover, men systematically benefit from the power conferred on them by those gender stereotypes.

In contrast, girls and women are more likely to find themselves unable to receive an education, being subject to violence or sexual assault, being paid less than men, or unable to make their own life decisions.

For example, it’s now almost six months since 270 Nigerian schoolgirls were captured by Boko Haram, who oppose girls’ education and are likely using the girls as domestic and sexual slaves. The international #BringBackOurGirls campaign has not been able to free a single one.

Watson’s speech has also been critiqued for ignoring the issue of intersectionality. The gender inequality that she describes as part of her experiences (being called “bossy” as a child, being sexualised by the media, and having friends who abandon sport because they don’t want to become “too muscly”) is the kind that affects comparatively privileged, white, middle-class, Western women.

Blackfeministkilljoy and The Middle Eastern Feminist , among others, explain that women of colour experience different kinds of discrimination to those that Watson has felt. Yet her speech made no reference to how other women’s lives might differ, or might be more difficult because the effects of gender, race, class, sexuality, class and disability discrimination can magnify each other.

The voices of women who lack the privilege of a wealthy, white woman like Watson – those who suffer most at the hands of gender inequality – have not been given the same platform or the same global attention.

In addition, Watson has also been criticised for reinforcing the gender binary , thereby dismissing the issues facing transgender people – though transgender model Geena Rocero has spoken out in support of Watson’s definition of gender as “a spectrum”.

Could Watson ever please everyone?

Many of the points raised by feminists about Watson’s speech, including questioning just how effective an online pledge will be in changing the violence and discrimination enacted on women, have merit. But there is little about Watson and her speech, including her highly feminine appearance, her nervous delivery, and her heterosexuality that has escaped criticism.

Feminists have been careful to explain they are not aiming to tear Watson down and to acknowledge that elements of her speech could provide an accessible introduction to feminism. Yet the ability of white, privileged celebrity to act as a spokesperson for women’s rights on a global scale is immensely fraught.

It is Watson’s fame and image that make her the kind of person who can inspire widespread interest in the topic of women’s rights. Yet those same qualities are also seen as detrimental to the cause because they work to present a concept of gender equality that is palatable to men, as does the HeForShe campaign.

The question is whether a marketable and non-threatening brand of feminism founded on the most acceptable model of femininity could every really dislodge the power structures that make such an approach necessary in the first place.

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Emma Watson Delivers Powerful Speech on Feminism at the U.N.

Freshly anointed U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson gave a speech at the U.N. headquarters yesterday in honor of the new “HeForShe” gender equality campaign, which aims to “mobilize men against gender inequalities.” In an event hosted by Wolf Blitzer and attended by actors including Kiefer Sutherland and Forest Whitaker, Watson spoke passionately — albeit self-effacingly — about her desire to combat gender inequality: “You might be thinking, who is this Harry Potter girl? And what is she doing up onstage at the U.N.? 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.” (It would seem that Watson’s concerns about being pigeonholed as   Hermione are justified, with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon saying of Watson, “She’s been using her magic wand in her movie. I hope she will use [her] magic wand to stop violence against women.”)

In her speech, Watson spoke out about her feminism, criticizing the notion that being a feminist has become “synonymous with man-hating.”

When I was 8, I was confused about 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 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media, when at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams because they didn’t want to appear “muscle-y,” when at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings, I decided that I was a feminist. And this seems uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. 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?

And here’s a video of the speech (you can read the full text here ):

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The decade’s 7 major feminist speeches

From Emma Watson to Natalie Portman, and from Argentina to Pakistan, these speeches struck a nerve.

7 feminist speeches that marked the decade

The Slut Walk movement said "no" means "no"

The Slutwalk movement itself began in Toronto in 2011, after a police officer suggested to women that they should “avoid dressing like sluts” as a precaution against sexual assault. The comment, seen as symptomatic of a wider tendency of victim-blaming, provoked a backlash against the propagation of “rape culture”, resulting in the first of a series of Slutwalk protest marches that have since grown into a widespread global movement.

Malala Yousafzai called on the world to protect girls' education

The Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban , delivered a powerful address to the United Nations in New York 2013, calling on governments around the world to provide every child with free education and denouncing the terrorists who attacked her.

Emma Watson's stirring call for equality

Watson's stirring gender equality speech at the UN headquarters in 2014 landed her the most recognition for her work as a feminist. In the now viral speech, Emma Watson encouraged men to make feminism their cause as well.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's humorous take-down of gender roles

The book she authored in 2015 ‘We Should All Be Feminists’ includes anecdotes and analyses about what it means to be a feminist. She argues that "feminist" isn't an insult, but rather a label that should be embraced by all.

A teenage poet in India slams the patriarchy

Aranya Johar in 2017 used social media to draw attention to serious issues like gender equality, mental health and body positivity. She uses slam poetry to confront beauty standards. Her first released piece, “A Brown Girl's Guide to Gender” became a viral sensation and hit 1 million views within two days of its upload.

Natalie Portman's heart-rending #MeToo speech

Natalie Portman revealed at the 2018 Women’s March in Los Angeles her first-ever fan letter was from a man describing his rape fantasy. She was 13.

An Argentinian lawmaker's courageous call to legalize abortion

In 2018, Silvia Lospennato, PRO member and representative of the Buenos Aires Province in the Lower House, left no question as to how she would vote that morning. More surprising, however, was the standing ovation that she garnered from representatives across the political spectrum as she closed the more than 20-hour debate with a moving acknowledgement of the historical significance of the moment.

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JK Rowling says 'Harry Potter' stars who criticized her trans views can 'save their apologies'

J.K. Rowling has a clear message for "Harry Potter" stars Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe – if they someday decide to apologize for criticizing her stance on trans issues, they can "save" it for "traumatized detransitioners" and "vulnerable women" instead.

The famous author's remark came on X Wednesday in a reply to a user partially calling himself #FarRightHooligan, who speculated the two stars would eventually offer Rowling a "very public apology… safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them..."

"Not safe, I'm afraid," Rowling replied . "Celebs who cosied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatised detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces."

Rowling's relationships with Watson and Radcliffe have deteriorated in light of her viral defenses of biological women and as she became an outspoken critic of total acceptance of the transgender community on the X platform.

‘HARRY POTTER’ PROFESSOR AT BAYLOR HOLDS DISCUSSION ON JK ROWLING'S ‘HATRED OF TRANS PEOPLE’ WITH STUDENTS

Watson and Radcliffe, meanwhile, have stood firm in supporting the transgender community, with Watson insisting that "trans people are who they say they are" in an X post after Rowling went viral in 2020 for criticizing an article mentioning "people who menstruate" and calling for use of the word "women" instead.

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"I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are," Watson also wrote at the time.

Radcliffe, meanwhile, showed his support by writing an essay for The Trevor Project to show support for the transgender community and also apologized "for the pain" Rowling's comments may have caused, according to The Independent.

JK ROWLING TORCHES TRANS BROADCASTER WHO REPORTED HER FOR HATE CRIME: ‘MALE NARCISSIST’

Rowling's remarks Wednesday also followed the release of a new report spearheaded by pediatrician Dr. Hilary Cass, which claimed that there is "remarkably weak evidence" to support gender-affirming care for minors and urged "extreme caution" before giving hormones to minors.

According to Sky News, England's National Health Service (NHS) said it would "now pause first appointments at adult clinics for teenagers under 18, and intends to carry out a major review of its adult gender services and use of hormones."

Rowling's comments on transgender issues most recently put her in the crosshairs of Scotland's controversial new hate crimes law that can jail people for up to seven years for "stirring up hatred" against groups identifiable by certain characteristics, including transgender identity, sexual orientation, age and disability, among others. 

JK ROWLING DARES POLICE TO ARREST HER, SAYS FREE SPEECH IS ‘AT AN END IN SCOTLAND’ UNDER NEW HATE CRIME BILL

With a close eye, social media watched to see whether Scottish police would press charges against Rowling for her remarks, but police eventually declined .

At the same time, First Minister Humza Yousaf, who is behind the new law, branded her speech "offensive," but noted it fails to meet the "threshold of criminality."

Original article source: JK Rowling says 'Harry Potter' stars who criticized her trans views can 'save their apologies'

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J.K. Rowling Blasts Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and More Stars for Supporting Trans Rights

J.K. Rowling had harsh words for Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson and more stars who do not agree with her transgender views.

The Harry Potter author, who has been criticized for her anti-trans comments over the years, shared an article via X on Wednesday, April 10, about “medical evidence for transitioning children.”

A fan replied to Rowling’s post saying they were “waiting for Dan and Emma to give you a very public apology … safe in the knowledge that you will forgive them.” Rowling, 58, responded, hinting she would not forgive them for speaking out against her beliefs.

“Not safe, I’m afraid,” the writer wrote via X . “Celebs who cozied up to a movement intent on eroding women’s hard-won rights and who used their platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors can save their apologies for traumatized detransitioners and vulnerable women reliant on single-sex spaces.”

Related: What the ‘Harry Potter’ Cast Has Said About J.K. Rowling Amid Controversy

Both Radcliffe, 34, and Watson, 33, got their start in Hollywood by starring in the film adaption franchise of Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter novels. However, both actors took a stand against Rowling when she first made her controversial remarks in June 2020.

“While Jo is unquestionably responsible for the course my life has taken, as someone who has been honored to work with and continues to contribute to The Trevor Project for the last decade, and just as a human being, I feel compelled to say something at this moment,” Radcliffe, who is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, wrote in an essay condemning Rowling. “Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I.”

Watson also shared her support for the trans community amid Rowling’s controversy.

“Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are,” the Little Women actress wrote via X at the time. “I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are. I donate to @Mermaids_Gender and @mamacash. If you can, perhaps you’ll feel inclined to do the same. Happy #PRIDE2020 Sending love x.”

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Watson and Radcliffe are not the only Harry Potter alums to speak out against the now-disgraced author over the years. Rupert Grint , Bonnie Wright , Eddie Redmayne , Ralph Fiennes , Helena Bonham Carter and more have expressed their support for the trans community over the years.

Related: J.K. Rowling’s Most Controversial Moments Through the Years

Despite losing support, Rowling continues to speak out about her controversial beliefs. Earlier this month, she criticized the Hate Crime and Public Order Act in the U.K., which aims to tackle the harm caused by hatred and prejudice, by daring the police to arrest her for her beliefs.

“Freedom of speech and belief are at an end in Scotland if the accurate description of biological sex is deemed criminal,” she wrote via X. “I’m currently out of the country, but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offense under the terms of the new act, I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment.”

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Emma Watson Turned 34, And The Harry Potter Alum Celebrated With Candid And Graceful Portraits

These look great!

Emma Watson may have stepped away from acting , but that hasn’t taken away from how beloved she is by many, namely for her time playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. But even with performing behind her, she’s still living her best life, which includes writing, directing and other work behind the camera. Now Watson has turned 34, and she celebrated the big milestone with a candid and graceful portrait.

Last year, Watson commemorated her 33rd birthday by reflecting on her dog, the then-recent Harry Potter reunion (which can be streamed with a Max subscription ) and other life milestones. This year, she went for a more minimalistic approach, sharing the below two pictures on her Instagram page:

A post shared by Emma Watson A photo posted by emmawatson on

What a beauty! These portraits speaks for themselves, with Watson only writing her new age and including an Aries sign in the caption. It was enough, as the post has collected more than two million likes, and of course many people have wished her a happy birthday in the comments section. This post follows roughly a year after Watson went viral on social media for a different kind of picture, as she was seen wearing what looked like a floating dress .

In addition to the eight Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson ’s other notable credits include The Perks of Being a Wallflower , This is The End , Beauty and the Beast and Little Women . The latter remains her last film appearance, meaning it’s been five years since she starred in a movie. As far as why Watson left acting behind, it boils down to her simply not being “very happy.” She felt “a bit caged” and found it “difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things” where she wasn’t “involved in the process.”

All this isn’t to say we’ll never see Watson act again, but at this stage of her life, she’s obviously enjoying her other creative endeavors. And even if she does resume acting, it’ll likely be in projects where she has at least some amount of creative control over the story being told. But again, just because she’s not in front of the camera doesn’t mean we’re not getting to hear from Watson every now and then. For example, back in late January, she talked about how she “misspent” her youth playing table tennis with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint .

If you’re in the mood to stream the Harry Potter movies, they can be accessed both on Max (which is where the upcoming Harry Potter TV series will also be housed) and with a Peacock subscription . Otherwise, learn what movies are coming out later this year with the 2024 release schedule and keep checking back with us for more news about Emma Watson.

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Connoisseur of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, John Wick, MonsterVerse and Doctor Who lore, Adam is a Senior Content Producer at CinemaBlend. He started working for the site back in late 2014 writing exclusively comic book movie and TV-related articles, and along with branching out into other genres, he also made the jump to editing. Along with his writing and editing duties, as well as interviewing creative talent from time to time, he also oversees the assignment of movie-related features. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Journalism, and he’s been sourced numerous times on Wikipedia. He's aware he looks like Harry Potter and Clark Kent.

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