Today is Non-Profit Friday. Though the name says Non-Profit, it is not limited to organizations that label themselves as non-profits. We will also cover movements, campaigns and the like.
Today we are going to talk about HeForShe.
The logo for the HeForShe movement.
HeForShe is a program founded by actress Emma Watson. A name you may recognize as Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter films. HeForShe is also led by UN Women.
HeForShe is a movement that is inviting men to speak out against gender inequality. In her speech introducing HeForShe, Emma Watson pointed out to us that there is no nation that can claim they actually have gender equality. That includes her home, the UK and America.
These inequalities come in many forms. Gender stereotypes, pay gaps and different opportunities are only some of them. She further argues that gender stereotypes are harmful to men and women. Men who suffer from domestic violence or mental illness are afraid to get help because they don’t want to appear weak. Women frequently cave under the pressure of being seen as the weaker of the sexes and don’t receive the same pay when they obtain employment as their male counterparts.
Towards the end of her speech, Emma goes on to address men directly, saying, “Gender equality is your issue too.” This statement is entirely true. Nothing on the front of ending gender inequality will ever be accomplished unless we unite together as people. Feminism has been wrongly represented as man-bashing and the belief that women are better than men.
This could not be further from the truth.
Feminism is the belief in equal rights between men and women. It is the belief that women deserve the same respect, pay and opportunities that men have. But more than this, it is the belief that by tearing down what we have come to see as gender norms we will become better and more complete versions of ourselves. If you believe any of this you are a feminist. And that is okay!
If you are a man, you can go the HeForShe website and take the pledge to take action against gender inequality. Regardless of gender, you can also spread the word via social media. A popular method of doing this is taking a picture of yourself with a paper that says #HeForShe and posting it to twitter or Facebook with the hashtag HeForShe. If you choose to support HeForShe, please take it very seriously and take action when you witness an act of gender inequality. Speak out. Because feminism shouldn’t be a bad word.
And it’s your issue too.
~Kasaki Kihoya~ 