To most, the name or image of Emma Watson would only bring up memories of Hermione, the "Harry Potter" films, or the Hollywood actress, but what many fail to realize and acknowledge is that Watson is more than just an actress. She received her bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 2014 in English literature. She serves as a UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador and has been on missions for UN Women in countries such as Bangladesh and Uruguay promoting women’s equality, educational programs for at-risk youth, and global equal rights for all.
In a speech at the UN, last week, Watson spoke of the work the UN Women’s organization, He for She, does and the responsibility of college-aged students to promote equality for all. She refers to her experience as a student to demonstrate that the issues she is advocating for are not outdated events of 60 years ago, but the reality of the education system worldwide. She encourages feminist activism as a discussion that must take place and bloom on college campuses because universities and institutions of higher education are powerful platforms. Watson believes universities have the power and will to be the catalyst in the fight and change the current standard of “equal” rights globally. In her words, universities are a place where students can “take refuge against all forms of violence” through the resources and environment the colleges provide them.
While colleges must feel like a safe, secure academic environment for their students, it also should maintain standards that allow others to campaign for their interests or causes without feeling threatened or discriminated against based on sexual preference, gender, religion, ethnicity, or race. However, colleges must continue to promote the importance of freedom of speech in order to create an environment where conflicting discussion or views are avoided and instead embraced. If students are limited or restrained to voice their opinion and beliefs, it will create a generation of adults that are afraid of confrontation and being wrong. College campuses across the world have become platforms for activism, debate, and spectacles that have gone on to change the way we look at society for the better. It is our mission now, and for the other generations to come, to continue the message of equality for all through leadership, communication and activism.
When she was honored with the position of UN Women Goodwill ambassador in 2014, she spoke of how her path in the media from an early age was much different than her co-stars and counterparts. From being labeled bossy to sexualized because of her body at the age of eight, Watson understands that the road to women’s equality is not an easy one when just the utterance of “feminism” reveals unpopular sentiments and indifference. “Feminism has become synonymous with man-hating,” she states, but what it really is defining is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of political, social, and economic equality to men.” In no one country in the world, can women expect to find these rights the same as men, but Watson’s message states that if you change the expectations in universities, societies will change their aspects and eventual mindset of the competence and power of women.
Watson’s university experience at Brown shaped that she became to be, just like many other students of higher education before her. What we must ask ourselves as students is, are our universities or colleges providing the tools necessary to shape the role of female today? Is sexual violence a form of violence? (Yes, yes it is.) Do women belong in leadership positions? Are they competent enough to lead a classroom? Can she become the president of a nation? The answer to all of those questions, unanimously should be yes, but if the occasion does arise where it is no, Watson believes it is in the power of the students to take action and change the standard. The campaign He for She that Watson is involved in focuses on the role and views towards women in a male dominated society that must change through the engagement and galvanizing of young men and boys. These men and boys are taught to be agents of change who are encouraged to take action against the inequality imposed on women. By changing the stigma, you can eventually change society. This is the same outlook Watson is communicating in her UN speech but directing it to a new audience, college students.
Equality is a right, not a privilege. Campuses across the world must show how the role and security of women, minorities, and anyone who feels threatened matters just as others’ do.
