While Emma Watson is best know for her perfect Leviosa spell in the Harry Potter films, the British actress has made it clear that she wants to accomplish more than your average Hollywood starlet. While she does star in the upcoming Beauty And The Beast live-action remake and an adaptation of Dave Egger’s The Circle, Watson is currently taking a year off from acting to focus on her advocacy work as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Watson has worked closely with with the UN on the HeForShe campaign, making feminism and equality accessible to even the most skeptical. So yeah, Watson has the credentials to back up her belief system.
On Tuesday, Watson gave a speech at the HeForShe IMPACT 10X10X10 University Parity Report, spotlighting issues including on-campus sexual assault, diversity, and gender equality. The Brown alumna spoke fondly of her time at university, but highlights the need to address the issues currently plaguing the gender equality movement. Still, Watson is hopeful that change is inevitable.
“We know that if you change students’ experiences so that 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.”
Watson also addressed the issue of sexual assault on many university campuses, and how safety should be prioritized instead of sweeping the issues under the rug.
“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 their own safety is violated.”
Watson continues to be a positive voice for change, and it’s wonderful to see an actor using their platform for a cause that actually matters. Hermione Granger would be so proud.
(Via Entertainment Weekly)
