MiaKaite: #HeForShe

If you have not heard about the HeForShe campaign then where have you been!?

Emma Watson made a speech at the UN recently about gender

equality. It was a very powerful speech and the first campaign spoken about gender equality at the UN. Here’s her speech; yes it is long. But 10 minutes of your life isn’t a big deal if it changes your perspective on equality through the sexes.

Please watch if you haven’t already - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v5Dq-CZc0s

Emma Watson mentions many problems with gender inequality throughout her speech, such as men being paid more in the workplace and women and men not being treated the same socially. She also reminds us that no country in the world has achieved gender equality.

I am so shocked that it’s 2014 and we still have stupid problems like Gender Inequality, Racial Discrimination, Marriage Inequality and more.

Just want to quickly touch on Marriage Inequality. It is slowly being fixed but there are no places in Australia where it’s legal for two men or two women to get married. Some parts of America allow it but imagine having to travel to America just to marry the person you love.

I’m straight, it feels weird to have to announce that but I’m trying to make my point that if two people of the same gender get married; how will that affect straight people? It won’t. If you don’t like something, look away. It’s none of your business anyway.

Please watch Zach Garry’s YouTube video on Stigmas & Sexuality, it’s worth it, I promise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRR10z2BBSA

He basically puts all my thoughts on inequality into words.

Anyway, the reason I’m not calling it ‘Feminism’ is because too often people confuse the meaning of Feminism. It doesn’t mean women think men don’t deserve rights or respect. It means women want the SAME rights and respect – equality.

I love how Emma Watson says that Gender Inequality isn’t just about women. It’s also about men and their part in the issue. 7:37 minutes into the video she speaks about how men are valued less as a parent, men never want to ask for help, how they “always” need to appear manly and strong. This is wrong, if they need help why shouldn’t they ask? If a man is upset or cries, it shouldn’t make them less of a man.

There is so much more on my mind about this issue but I want to keep this somewhat short and sweet. I hope you watched the video because it means so much to me and many women and men around the world.

My names Emelia Smith and I support the campaign #HeForShe.

Thank you so so much for reading.