Emma Watson And Malala Yousafzai Talk Feminism: ‘Feminism Is Another Word For Equality’ [Video]
Emma Watson took an opportunity to interview Malala Yousafzai, the youngest person ever to win a Nobel Prize. Eighteen-year-old Malala took this opportunity to share about her life and her choices to advocate more equality among the female gender.
The video of the interview was shown live in 80 theaters all over the UK before Watson posted it to her Facebook page on Wednesday for the rest of the world to see. More than 10,000 children and their teachers were given an opportunity to view the showing first hand in order to learn a little bit more about feminism and Malala’s courageous advocacy. Watch the full interview below.
https://www.facebook.com/emmawatson/videos/1150256254993263/?permPage=1
Watson primarily asked questions that had been submitted previously by students in the audience. At one point, Yousafzai admits that she is a feminist. Watson seemed a little surprised that she would call herself such a political buzz word.
In response, Malala shared, “This word, feminism, it has been a very tricky word. When I heard it the first time, I heard some negative responses and some positive ones. I hesitated in saying am I feminist or not. After hearing your speech, when you said, ‘If not now, when? If not me, who?’ I decided there’s no way, and there’s nothing wrong with calling yourself a feminist. I am a feminist and you’re truly feminist, because feminism is another word for equality.”
Watson was visibly moved by that powerful statement. Malala’s ability to get to the heart of the matter and explain what feminism really is isn’t something that we’re used to hearing in a politically correct world, but this 18-year-old girl showed more wisdom than most in this statement.
Malala also pointed out that the definition of feminism is largely forgotten. This is a view, however, that Emma Watson shares.
She stated in a U.N. speech last year, “For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes… And if you still hate the word – it is not the word that is important but the idea and the ambition behind it. Because not all women have been afforded the same rights that I have. In fact, statistically, very few have been.”
Yousafzai has gained a lot of attention lately since a documentary highlighted her life, which is one of the reasons Watson wanted to interview her. He Named Me Malala, directed by Davis Guggenheim, shows a portrait of the events leading up to one of the many Taliban attacks against women. This one features the story of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala and how she rose out of it in the aftermath.
She miraculously survived the vicious attack and, since then, has been advocating for girls’ education with the support of millions around the world who were spurred into action by the awful incident. It was her efforts that won her the Nobel Peace Prize.
Her family now owns a chain of schools in the region, and they are helping Malala with her efforts to offer more education and equality for women. The documentary featuring her incredible story is set to come out Friday, November 6 in the UK.
Watson is also well on her way to major recognition for feminism. Though she got her fame playing Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter saga, she has maintained it through her efforts to relieve sexism and gender inequality around the world.
When Emma Watson and Malala Yousafzai got together to speak out about feminism, the world knew that a whole wave of inspiration was coming their way.
[Image via Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images]
