Emma Watson has revealed she was advised not to use the word ‘feminism’ during her groundbreaking ‘HeForShe’ speech at the United Nations.
According to the Evening Standard, Watson told Porter magazine people recommended she steer clear of the word when writing what is now considered one of the most feminist speeches in recent years.
“I was encouraged not to use the word ‘feminism’ because people felt that it was alienating and separating and the whole idea of the speech was to include as many people as possible.”
Watson ultimately thought differently as she ended up saying ‘feminism’ and ‘feminist’ six times during her 12 minute speech which called on men and boys to help combat gender inequality across the world.
In fact, a large segment of the speech focused on the use of the word and asked why it has become an “unpopular” and “uncomfortable” one.
The actress said: “I thought long and hard and ultimately felt that it was just the right thing to do. If women are terrified to use the word, how on earth are men supposed to start using it?”
Watson’s speech at the UN headquarters in New York has been viewed almost over 1.5 million times on Youtube.
During the speech she asked for the help of men to fight women’s issues and also highlighted problems men can develop from the pressures to be masculine.
Watson, who was appointed a UN goodwill ambassador for women in 2014, has continued to highlight the plight of women around the world.
Earlier this year she interviewed campaigner Malala Yousafzai, who said she only started identifying as a feminist after watching the 25-year-old's speech.
Watson told Porter part of the reason she was chosen for the role was through her advocacy for fair-trade fashion.
“Because so many women design and make the clothes we wear, it’s primarily the working conditions of women that are affected by the decisions we make, so fashion is a feminist issue.”
