Entertainment

Emma Watson Gives Another Amazing Speech

by Caitlyn Callegari

If you're wondering what superhero Emma Watson has been doing since her HeForShe speech at the United Nations last fall, let me just assure you, it doesn't involve slinking back into her Bat Cave being doted on by Alfred. No, no. She has been working for her cause, fully committed to spreading the word and making legitimate changes. This includes her HeForShe IMPACT 10x10x10 initiative, the next natural step in of the HeForShe movement, which Watson put forth on Friday at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. While there, she also documented just how far HeForShe has come since being launched.

A few majorly major accomplishments the actress and activist mentioned in her speech:

  • The initial HeforShe speech has been watched over 11 million times.
  • There have been 1.2 billion social media conversations on the topic.
  • The #HeforShe hashtag was so "popular" that Twitter brandished it on their wall at their headquarters.
  • Men from nearly every country in the world have participated in HeforShe.
  • Major political and social figures have "joined the cause," including from Desmond Tutu, Prince Harry, Hillary Clinton, and Yoko Ono.

But her speech wasn't just about lauding accomplishments or pats on the back. Watson is clearly, selflessly committed to making the world a better place for women. She announced what the plans are for IMPACT 10x10x10 initiative, and they're nothing short of amazing. As The Daily Mail explains,

[IMPACT 10x10x10 is] a one-year pilot effort that aims to engage governments, corporations and universities as instruments of change positioned within some of the communities that most need to address deficiencies in women's empowerment and gender equality, and that have the greatest capacity to make and influence those changes.

And, she also talked about ways everyone can help, citing that "everything is valid," meaning, whatever means you take or noise you make is worth it. Watson broke it down into these easy steps:

  • Decide what you want your commitment to be.
  • Make it public.
  • Report back on your progress.

Watson says that she and her HeForShe colleagues, want to, "Support, guide, and reinforce your efforts." Proving that HeForShe isn't a flash in the pan or a trend or a ploy for publicity. She's invested in the cause and she needs us to be, too.

Isn't it gratifying to know that your childhood idol is worth looking up to?