Harry Potter star Emma Watson, after being chosen as the UN Women's goodwill ambassadress in July this year, has delivered her first speech to launch the 'HeforShe' campaign that aims to eradicate the negative perception of people towards the word 'feminist'.

According to the 24-year old English actress, ever since she was eight years old, she had seen girls being labeled 'bossy' for taking the lead while men are always expected to take charge.

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The actress shared that she has developed her views on feminism after she was told that she was being 'bossy' for wanting to direct her own play when she was only 8 years old.

Watson expressed her belief that the word 'feminist' is being associated to the term 'man-hater', stating that the word and the whole concept behind it is being put into negative light instead of being used to uphold the image of individuals who believe in gender equality.

In turn, Watson is calling on people to stop taking this point of view towards the feminist movement, sharing that the 'HeforShe' campaign is something that has been designed to encourage men to stand up against the oppression of woman worldwide.

She also encouraged men and women alike to reclaim feminism and to speak up for everyone's 'daughters, sisters and mothers'.

In her speech, the actress, who played the iconic role of Harry Potter's gal pal Hermione Granger, called on men to join the campaign, stating that gender equality is also an issue that men should address.

Watson encouraged people to "stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by what we are..." and also stressed that the campaign is all about freedom.

According to UN Women's executive director Mlambo-Ngcuka, Watson, with her intellect and passion, can help encourage young people around the world to see the importance of gender equality in today's society.

TagsEmma Watson, HeforShe Campaign