Emma Watson joins the fight against campus sexual assault. This year’s UN Goodwill Ambassador for Women delivered another powerful speech, advocating for change on sexual assault policies on campus.
The speech followed Watson’s famous and passionate address two years ago that called on men to help end gender inequality, as part of her HeForShe campaign. This year she turned her attention to a very pressing issue: lack of acknowledgment of sexual violence on college campuses.
Watson directly calls on universities to provide more support to their female students. She discusses how colleges have the potential to be an amazing space for women to grow intellectually and socially. Yet, currently, campuses are places where women experience sexism and harmful gender inequality. In particular, she addresses the need for universities to enact policies that address the rampant sexual assault problem.
“At far too many universities, we are given the message that sexual violence isn’t violence at all.”
Watson emphasizes that campuses need to fight to end violence against women and minorities. She says “universities need to make it clear that the safety of women, minorities and anyone who may be vulnerable, is a right, not a privilege.”
She finishes with acknowledging that universities have the opportunity to empower women and help close the gap of equality between the genders.
It’s time now, that they act on it.
Check out her powerful words below:
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