UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson Sincerely Speaks About Feminism At The Launch Of The 'HeForShe' Campaign In New York

French born English actress and model, Emma Watson delivered a powerful speech on gender discrimination in New York on Saturday at the launch of HeForShe campaign. The 24-year-old actress who rose to popularity playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series, began by explaining, "I am reaching out to you because we need your help. We must try to mobilize as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change. We don't just want to talk about it. We want to try and make sure it's tangible."

Emma further explained contrary to popular belief, being feminist does not imply you are anti-men, revealing or unattractive, she continued,  "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." She added, "Why has the word become such an unpopular one? I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men."

The actress that starred in all eight Harry Potter films, addressing the audience added that they probably would be thinking, 'Who is this Harry Potter girl? What is she doing at the UN?'She confessed, "I've been asking myself at the same thing. All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make this better. And having seen what I've seen and given the chance, I feel my responsibility to say something. Edmund Burke said all that is need for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing."

She even pointed out the possibility of it taking almost another century to achieve gender equality. She further explained that around 140,000 girl will be forced into child marriage by 2020 if things do not change.

outh African Nobel peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Kiefer Sutherland, Antonio Banderas, Patrick Stewart and Matt Damon were among other supporters of the HeForShe campaign.

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