The debate of feminism and gender equality has been discussed for years. The common misconception of the word ‘feminism’ is that it is anti-men. However, by definition feminism 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”.
UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson gave a speech last week discussing gender equality. She states that to end gender equality everyone needs to be involved and men need to join women as advocates for gender equality. Watson argues that gender equality is an issue for men as well. Men are imprisoned by gender stereotypes and boys are shaped by what they believe is the definition of a ‘man’. Watson believes that, “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”.
The HeForShe campaign, which Watson was speaking on behalf of, promotes men advocating for gender equality. Watson’s speech represents a milestone in the discussion of gender equality. For the first time, it has been promoted as not only an issue for women, but men as well. This discussion has major relevance in the business world, as the unequal treatment of women in the workplace has been brought into the light with the US Census Bureau’s report in 2003. They announced that the average woman makes 77.5 cents for every dollar the average man grosses.
HeForShe has potential to begin a revolution. If it succeeds, gender equality will become the norm, and the treatment of women around the globe and within the workplace will improve.
Sources:
http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2014/9/emma-watson-gender-equality-is-your-issue-too
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/pdf/women_workforce_slides.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/heforshe