AECC Assignment
Name- Barna Das
Roll no- 21/PSY/17
2nd Semester
Speech by UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson at a special event for the HeForShe
campaign, United Nations Headquarters, New York, 20 September 2014
Today we are launching a campaign called ‘HeForShe.’ I am reaching out to you because I need your
help. We want to end gender inequality— and to do that we need everyone to be involved. This is the
first campaign of its kind at the UN: we want to try and galvanize as many men and boys as possible
to be advocates for gender equality. And we don’t just want to talk about it, but make sure it is
tangible. 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 too often become synonymous with 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.’ Why is the word [feminism] such an
uncomfortable one?
I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I
think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that
women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. 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
they have achieved gender equality. Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend our formal
invitation. Gender equality is your issue too. Because to date, I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent
being valued less by society, despite my needing his presence as a child as much as my mother’s. We
don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes, but I can see that they are, and
that when they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to
be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won’t feel compelled to be submissive. If men don’t
have to control, women won’t have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be
sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong…. It is time that we all perceive gender
on a spectrum, not as two opposing sets of ideals.
1. Read the passage above and answer the following questions:
a. Where is Emma Watson speaking, and in what capacity? (2)
Ans- Emma Watson is speaking at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at
the event for the HeForShe campaign as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
b. What is the definition of feminism that Emma Watson gives? (2)
Ans- Feminism as defined by Emma Watson 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.”
c. Why does Watson say that gender equality is an issue for men too? (3)
Ans- Emma Watson says that gender quality is an issue for men too because she has
seen how her father’s role as a parent is less valued by society even when his
presence was as important as her mothers as a child. She feels that men are also
imprisoned by gender stereotypes, even though society doesn’t talk about it as often
and as men will be freed from the clutches of gender stereotypes so will things get
better for women as well.
d. What is the change that Watson thinks will happen if we are not imprisoned in gender
stereotypes? (3)
Ans- Emma Watson thinks that if we are not imprisoned by gender stereotypes,
change for women will follow as a natural consequence. Emma Watson further
elaborates, how if men need not be aggressive to be accepted by society, then women
won’t feel compelled to be submissive, if men don’t have to control, women won’t
have to be controlled. Watson feels it is only when society will be freed from gender
stereotypes, both the genders will be able to attain and grow most.
e. Paraphrase Emma Watson’s speech in your own words. (15)
Ans- We are starting a campaign called 'HeForShe' today. I'm approaching you since
your help is needed. We seek to eliminate gender disparity, and for that purpose we
need as much help as we can. This is the UN's first campaign of its kind: we aim to
mobilise as many men and boys as possible to be champions for gender equality. And
we don't just want to speak about it rather make it be real. I was appointed six months
ago, and the more I've engaged in talks about feminism, the more I've come
to understand that fighting for women's rights has all too frequently become
associated with hatred for males. If there is one thing, I am confident of, it is that this
must cease. Feminism is defined as "the notion that men and women should have
equal rights and opportunities. It's a concept of gender equality in politics,
economics, and society.' So why does the word [feminist] end up making one feel so
uneasy?
I am from the Britain, and I believe that as a woman, it is only appropriate that I be
paid at least the same as my male colleagues and that it is right for me to be freely
making decisions regarding my own body. I believe it is appropriate for women to
participate in my country's policies and decision-making on my behalf and that I be
treated socially in the same manner as males. However, it is with regret that I inform
you that there is no one nation in the world in which all women may expect to be
granted these rights. No nation on the planet can claim that they have attained gender
equality. I'd want to use this occasion to issue our formal invitation to the men.
Gender equality is also a concern for you. Because society has historically valued my
father's position as a parent less, despite the fact that I needed his presence as a child
just as much as my mother's. We don't frequently talk about how guys are
also imprisoned by gender norms; however, I can see that they are indeed, and that
once they are released from those notions, things will naturally shift for women.
Women will not feel obligated to be subservient if males do longer have to be hostile
in order to gain acceptance. If males are not required to control, women will not be
required to be controlled. Both men and women must openly express their feelings.
Men and women should both feel free to be powerful. It is high time that we all saw
gender as a spectrum, rather than as two competing sets of ideas.