Although many nations have made important advances in the search for gender equality, undoing structures of oppression that have lasted for centuries, there is a long way to go. It is essential that women are treated equally and receive the same opportunities in a world that still has strongly patriarchal characteristics.
In this scenario of transformation, the HeForShe initiative, launched in 2014 by actress Emma Watson, emerges as a significant movement that calls on men and people of all genders to unite in this cause. The aim is to actively work towards equality and demonstrate solidarity with women, recognizing that gender parity benefits everyone.
Actress Emma Watson highlights the need for inclusion in the launch of HeForShe
In 2014, Emma Watson, widely recognized for her role as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films, gave a landmark speech at the headquarters of the United Nations (UN). On the occasion, she defended the importance of equality and announced UN Women’s HeForShe campaign. In addition to her artistic career, Watson was already participating in educational programs for women and humanitarian actions in countries such as Bangladesh and Zambia, being invited by Elizabeth Nyamayaro, founder and director of HeForShe, to be the movement’s public figure.
Recently appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador, the actress shared her feminist convictions. She highlighted the urgency of combating negative stereotypes that hinder progress towards gender parity.
In her speech, Watson addressed the misperception that feminism is “man-hating.” She emphasized that this distorted view leads many women to not identify as feminists, despite the fact that feminism, in essence, fights for equality and the achievement of parity in a world where no country has achieved full gender equality.
The actress extended a direct invitation to men to get involved in the movement for gender equality. She argued that gender should be understood as a spectrum, rather than as opposing ideals that trap men and women in restrictive social expectations.
Watson’s speech generated an extraordinary worldwide repercussion, going viral on the internet. In just two weeks, the hashtag #HeForShe registered 1.1 million tweets. Since then, the ambassador has traveled to several countries, giving lectures and gaining the support of global leaders.
She has used her growing influence to support the efforts of countless other organizations dedicated to women’s rights and empowerment. Among them, Girl Up, Malala Fund, CAMFED and UNICEF stand out.
Global expansion and support from organizations for the initiative
Since its launch, the HeForShe campaign has achieved remarkable success and international visibility, garnering the support of millions of individuals. However, the movement goes beyond personal support, being significantly driven by the commitment of companies, large corporations, entire communities and even governments.
This approach allowed the HeForShe movement to interact with diverse societies, acting as a catalyst for countless discussions about gender inequality. The campaign also contributed to the formulation of internal policies in organizations, many of which started their own initiatives to address gender issues.
Vodafone, for example, demonstrated this dynamism and, in 2024, launched its own “1 in 3” campaign. The initiative aims to raise awareness about domestic violence, using the data that, globally, approximately one in three women experiences this violence at least once in their lives.
The power of social media in mobilizing the HeForShe campaign
Recent years have highlighted the ability of social media platforms to generate massive engagement through movements that use hashtags. These tools have achieved remarkable success in raising awareness, mobilizing people, and putting pressure on governments to take effective action. Campaigns with highly popular hashtags often receive support from companies, which identify an opportunity to improve their brand reputation.
HeForShe played a relevant role in this online phenomenon, launching digital campaigns with hashtags that take place in parallel with actions carried out outside social networks. A notable example was the #MorePowerfulTogether campaign, which had a wide impact and resulted in tens of thousands of pledges in favor of gender equality. To symbolize the lost potential when half the world’s population is underrepresented in society, twenty-five iconic landmarks across the planet, such as the Empire State Building in New York, the CN Tower in Toronto and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, have had half of their lights turned off. The 2024 HeForShe Alliance Impact Report recorded more than 560 million social media impressions globally.
