What we learned about equality from the online conference of Emma Watson
Daria Tatarkova
Yesterday in honor of International Women's Day, Emma Watson held a video conference on Facebook, where she answered questions about the state of equality in the world and promoted the United Nations "HeForShe" campaign, of which she is a messenger. We collected the most important and interesting thoughts of the actress and goodwill ambassador, which were voiced during the performance.
Women and men suffer from inequality together
The way in which men suffer from inequality is rarely discussed: they also become victims of discrimination, sexual and physical abuse. Awareness of this is already an important first step. The fact that we call for an end to violence against women does not mean that we call for violence against men. Gloria Stein at the event "HeForShe" said that humanity is like a bird, and it needs both wings to fly.
UN speech was one of the most incredible moments in her life
It would sound awfully tricky, but I thought then that if I had just died, I would have died happy.
Emma's younger sister succinctly formulated a campaign target
I asked my younger sister what she wanted from the boys she knows. She replied: "I just dream that they want to play with us." This is applicable in all life situations. Women just want to be involved in the process.
Women are aware of the problem
I think women are encouraged by awareness of the problem. It is always awkward and uncomfortable to admit problems, but we need to understand that it is and concerns each of us. I received the toughest criticism in my life from women. It is not enough to ask men to become a part - it is important that we women support each other.
There are more feminists than everyone thinks.
People associate feminism with hatred of men - this is a very negative approach, with which I strongly disagree. Feminism is an incredibly positive thing. Today, people are returning to the true meaning - gender equality in the context of politics, economy, society and culture. Everything is so simple. Men consider feminism a “feminine” word, but if you believe in equality, then sorry, of course, but you are a feminist.
Emma was inspired by her mom.
My diabetic mother alone raised me, inspiring me with her strength and stamina. When I was a teenager, she taught me the most important thing: convinced that everything that I do and think is infinitely more important than what I look like. She supported me to be a person.
Gender stereotypes are imposed from childhood
It starts very early: very young boys and girls are told what they should be - and this can be very traumatic.
Threats don't shut us up
I understood that this was a bluff, and I knew that there were no photographs. The situation is indicative: as soon as I started talking about women's rights, I immediately began to receive threats. For many, it was a bell that helped them realize the reality of the problem. People thought it would break me, but it only gave me incredible confidence. I'm so angry! That's why I have to do what I do. So if someone tried to confuse me with these threats, they achieved exactly the opposite.
Men are not allowed to cry
I am outraged by the idea that men are not allowed to cry. They can not express their emotions, can not talk about what they feel. What could be sadder? Being able to express yourself, show your emotions and enthusiasm does not make you a girl - it makes you a person. If your heart beats in your chest and you care, this is great!
All are equal before the problem
I am also a victim of sexism. Recently I wrote this comment: "Emma, why aren't you in the kitchen?" Now I know that I am not alone in this struggle, that this is a problem of education, and I hope that in the near future such comments will terrify people, and not just annoy.
Women are power
We need both yin and yang. It is necessary for women to be represented in different professional fields, for them to occupy leadership positions. Women have so much to offer, they have so much potential that is wasted, simply because women are not supported in the same way as men.
Even a single tweet can help someone.
Do not let anyone decide for you what you can and cannot achieve. Be what you want to be. The girl wrote to me: "My dad says that I cannot be an engineer, what should I do?" I answered without hesitation: "Prove that he is wrong - become an engineer!" After a couple of hours, representatives from several educational institutions contacted her to say: "Women, of course, can be engineers! How can we help?"
Social networks are a powerful tool for promoting ideas
Wherever you live, whatever the conditions, whatever the people around you think - thanks to social networks you have the opportunity to make contact with the whole community, where people think differently and want to support you.
Women are not represented in the cinema
Today, women among directors only 7%. Screenwriters - 19.7%, producers - 2.2%, and in senior positions in the film industry - 13%. This is a terrifying statistic. At the same time, we know that if women shoot and write movies, they pay more attention to women than usual. Why don't we tell women stories? Why women are not allowed to tell their stories? This is madness. We are still waiting for permission to speak out loud — this needs to be changed.
Do not be afraid to take initiative with men
I love it when they open the door for me or invite me to dinner. It seems to me that the key question is - will it hurt if I, in turn, hold the door for you? If not, then everything is fine: we just behave politely towards each other. I love politeness. Recently, I invited a man to a date, chose a restaurant and offered to pay - and it was a terribly awkward and uncomfortable situation! It's great that we could talk about why we are uncomfortable, and he was open to dialogue. Now the transition period, no one really knows how to behave - but this is normal. The main thing - to be willing to this awkward conversation.
"HeForShe" does not exclude LGBT
I believe that it is necessary to support and develop certain traits in people regardless of who they are manifested in - a man, a woman, or a person who does not want to determine his gender within the binary system. My primary goal is to advocate for the rights of women and girls, but I understand that all existing forms of pressure on the world are interconnected. I hope that the LGBT community feels that this and their movement, too, because it is. My dream is to work and live in a world where gender inequality is long past. Just for equality - the point.
Feminism as relevant as ever
Undoubtedly, I was luckier than many others, so I think that I should take care of women who did not have the same privileges as mine. I used to hear: women can vote - everything is fine! Unfortunately, people still do not understand how acute the problem of inequality is and that it needs to be addressed urgently. In the meantime, it leads to poverty, violence, discrimination, and stagnation of positive social change.
It is important to ask questions
The most important thing is not to take the current state of affairs as a matter of course and to put it into question. It takes time to change how people think, so it’s very important to learn to ask the right questions and make your own decisions.
What can I do?
My friends often say that they witnessed something unpleasant, but they decided that they had no right to interfere. "What would that change?" Your words and actions can change a lot for someone to whom a misogynistic commentary or something unpleasant is directed. Your intervention can change the day, the month, and maybe the whole life of this person. Do not allow yourself to say "who am I to interfere?". You are a man, you can change the world 100%. Small matters matter most. Be brave.
Do not postpone changes
Given the pace with which everything is changing now, I will most likely die by the time we reach equality. But! Perhaps I will simply refuse to die until I see with my own eyes that the situation has changed. So if you know how to achieve this - contact me.
Photo: cover image via Getty Images