Picture Dictionary & Books : Free for English Learner!

Today, we are launching a campaign called HeForShe.

I am reaching out to you because we need your help.

We want to end gender inequality and to do this, we need everyone involved.

This is the first campaign of its kind at the UN.

We want to try to galvanise as many men and boys as possible to be advocates for change and we don't just want to talk about it.

We want to try and make sure that it's tangible.

I was appointed as Goodwill Ambassador for U.N.

Women six months ago and the more I've 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.

I started questioning gender-based assumptions a long time ago.

When I was 8, I was confused about being called 'bossy' because I wanted to direct the plays that we would put on for our parents.

But the boys were not.

When at 14, I started to be sexualized by certain elements of the media, when at 15, my girlfriends started dropping out of their beloved sports teams, because they didn't want to appear 'muscle-y,' when at 18, my male friends were unable to express their feelings, I decided that I was a feminist.

And this seems uncomplicated to me.

But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.

Women are choosing not to identify as feminists.

Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, 'too aggressive,' isolating and anti-men, unattractive, even.

Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?

I am from Britain and I think it is right that 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 [applause break] ...

I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that affect my life.

I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men.

UN Speech on Gender Equality, 2014

Table of Contents