EMMA WATSON: Gender Equality

 

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

often become 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 to be 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 media. 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 that I am 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. I am among the ranks of women whose

expressions are seen as strong, too aggressive, isolating anti-men, and

unattractive. Why has my 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 as a woman. I think it is right that I should be able to make

decisions about my 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. 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.