Emma Watson Defines ‘Feminism,’ Sheds Light On Gender Inequality In Hollywood

Emma Watson continues to inspire us!

On Sunday, International Women’s Day, the 24-year-old actress held a Facebook Q&A on gender equality for her U.N. #HeForShe campaign.

Emma began by recounting her September 2014 speech at the U.N., and admitted that bringing the issues to the global political floor (and to the media) made her feel as if she could “die happy.”

“[That speech] might’ve been the most important thing I might ever do,” she said.

The actress – who serves as a U.N. Women’s Global Goodwill Ambassador – went on to discuss many topics and hot-button issues surrounding gender equality and misconceptions, starting with dispelling the undeserved negativity surrounding the word “feminist.”

Here’s what she had to say:

The Truth About Feminism – It’s Not Hateful

“I think people associate it with hate. With man hate. And that’s really negative and that’s not what feminism is about at all. I think it’s actually something really positive. So I think that’s why women became very reluctant to use that word. But that’s changing, which is really cool. I’m aware of a lot more male feminists now than I was a few years ago, and it’s really heartening. People have come back to what the actual definition means, which is equality politically, culturally, socially, economically. That’s it. It’s that simple… I think men think it’s a women’s word – but it really just means that you believe in equality. And if you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist. Sorry to tell you, you are a feminist!”

On Her Role Model – Her Mom, A ‘Single Working Mother’

“Seeing her strength and resilience growing up was really inspiring. Really inspiring. She instilled in me, particularly in my teenage years — when I was feeling confused about what my purpose was — that what I was thinking and what I was doing and what I was saying was infinitely more important than my physical appearance, even when the world was telling me the contrary.”

Gender Inequality In Hollywood Is Indisputable:

“Currently, females comprise 7 percent of directors, 19.7 percent of writers, and 2.2 percent of producers, 13.3 percent of executives are women in the film industry. And we know that when you have a female writer, or female director, there’s a higher representation of women. So that’s a pretty huge problem, which needs to be addressed. It’s really, really, really bad. We saw that acknowledged at the Oscars this year… Why are we not telling women’s stories? Why are women not telling their own stories? Directing their own stories? It’s crazy! It’s gotta be done.”

Chivalry Is Not Dead

“I love having the door opened for me. Isn’t that just polite? Isn’t that just a nice thing to do? I love being taken to dinner, it’s so great. But I think the key is, would you then mind if I opened the door for you? No? Then that works great. I’m polite and you’re polite, and we’re making the world a better place with this small, polite, kind gesture.”

Change Needs To Happen Now:

“There’s a lack of a sense of urgency around this issue. We’re not really understanding what a huge impact this has all over the world. It’s one of the biggest contributors to poverty, to violence, to discrimination. It hinders development and progress all over the world.”

Watch Emma’s full Q&A!

Erin O’Sullivan

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