Feminism in the UN

Activist and Actor Emma Watson's Fight Towards Equality

For about 65 years, the UN procures prominent people in the media to bring awareness to what is happening around the world to encourage recognition of these issues. Many celebrities are very involved in traveling and helping others in need faced with famine, violence and poverty. Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, Susan Sarandon, Charlize Theron and Emma Watson are only but a few that are involved.

 

Emma Watson, a socialite known for her award-winning acting and feminist values was given the title of a goodwill ambassador in the United Nations in July of 2014 to advocate gender equality.

 

Watson, who has over 21.4 million followers on her twitter account, is able to use her celebrity to fight for equal rights for all. She does this by spreading inspirational words and quotes for equality in 140 characters or less.

 

Graduated from Brown University in 2014, after her very successful decade of being the lovable and book smart Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, wanted to receive higher education and was soon accepted to this Ivy League. Noted being an influential renaissance woman, also dipping into modeling, fashion and instructing yoga, she was always passionate about fighting for women’s rights.   Although some are turned off by the word feminist, Emma Watson displays to her audience feminist  means equal rights for all and isn’t a man-hating group of individuals.

 

“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.”

 

Screen Shot 2016-03-22 at 7.49.05 PMOn September 20, 2014, Emma Watson launched a campaign called #HeForShe which promotes equal rights, gender equality and is wholeheartedly supported and endorsed by the UN.

 

“HeForShe is inviting people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality. And it starts by taking action right now to create a gender equal world.”

 

HeForShe spread like wildfire and celebrities from all over described their support for the site and for what Watson stands for. Influential celebrities to a specifically younger generation, such as Harry Styles posted on twitter his endorsement and support with almost 400,000 retweets on the site. Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is very passionate about equal rights as well posts his support as well.

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Watson has visited Bangladesh, Zambia and Uruguay to promote education for women. Uruguay was her first stop as a Goodwill Ambassador, making a speech explaining how women need to be involved in politics in their country…  Everyone deserves a say.

 

Most recently on January 6, 2016 via Twitter, the experienced activist decided to start a feminist book club on Goodreads.  This initiative instantly caught on with almost 30,000 people favorite-ing the tweet ready to support her. There are now more than 121,000 members reading a new feminist book every month. Now called “Our Shared Shelf” with books such as “My Life on the Road” by Gloria Steinem, “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker and currently “All About Love: New Visions” by Bell Hooks.

 

Watson’s influence allows people that may not understand or know too much about feminism to expand their horizons and work towards change and equality. This book club also involves forums and comment sections encouraging debate and interactions for the group members reading along each month.

 

Emma Watson has become an inspiration to countless people with her passion for feminism. With more than a billion gender equality actions and counting, we can make an impact.

 

twitter.com/brianna_deleon

 

About the Author

bdeleon
bdeleon
Student at Montclair State University double majoring in Communication and Media Arts and Psychology.
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