Emma Watson gives powerful and emotional speech at U.N.

Actress Emma Watson's impassioned womens' rights speech at the United Nations on Saturday received a huge standing ovation.

The speech, which called for men to become advocates to end gender inequality, got an amazing reaction from those present at the U.N. headquarters in New York for the launch of the HeForShe campaign.

Emma spoke candidly about her own view of feminism, which she says has been important to her since childhood. "I started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago. 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," she said. "But the boys were not."

The actress also spoke beautifully about the warped idea that many people have of feminism. "I decided that I was a feminist,” she said. “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."

"I am from Britain and I think it is right that I am paid the same as my male counterparts," she added. "I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body."

The star acknowledged that her fame gave her a position of privilege. "You might think, 'Who is this Harry Potter girl? What is she doing at the U.N.?' And it's a really good question—I've been asking myself at the same thing. All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make it better."

The HeForShe campaign aims to get 100,000 men of all ages involved in the fight for gender equality, and Emma put out a call for males to join the action. "I am inviting you to step forward to be seen and to ask yourself, 'If not me, who? If not now, when?'"

U.N. Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon even said a few sweet words about the actress' amazing speech. "She's been using her magic wand in her movie. I hope she will use [her] magic want to stop violence against women," he said. 

You can watch the full speech below. Great work, Emma!

 

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