These Voices Call For Changes in the Entertainment Industry
The fight for equality under Hollywood's bright lights is led by courageous actresses who use the spotlight to highlight all the difficulties women have to overcome to live in a male-dominated industry.
The Woman Post | Carolina Rodríguez Monclou
Listen to this article
Here are the most famous entertainment names advocating for gender equality and women's rights.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. Then the actress launched the HeForShe campaign, which stands up for gender equality and urges men to advocate for it. As she bravely delivered her speech at the UN headquarters in New York City, the star mentioned that she was called bossy at eight years old, and the media sexualized her at fourteen. The actress-activist has traveled to Bangladesh, Zambia, and Uruguay to promote girls' education and the need for women's political participation.
Emma has been talking about gender equality whenever and wherever she wants it to reach people's ears. She also started a Goodreads feminist book club, Our Shared Shelf, to share ideas and encourage discussion. Watson helped launch a legal helpline provided by women's charity rights for people who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.
Keira Knightley
Keira Knightley posed topless in the September issue of Interview magazine. The actress said that she took the photos to protest the use of Photoshop to modify women's bodies in media. Keira wasn't enough in 2004 when her figure was badly distorted on a King Arthur movie poster.
The protagonist of Pirates of the Caribbean is opposed to the designers applying digital corrections to her breasts. She claims that she is very proud of her body, and she wants her photos to be published to show her how she is.
Also read: MOVIES THAT WE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ENJOY IN THIS NEW YEAR
Jennifer Lawrence
In an essay titled "Why Do I Earn Less Than My Male Co-stars?" Lawrence spoke about the pay gap between her and her male co-stars in Hollywood, and the producers' sexist comments revealed in the infamous Sony leaked emails in 2014. In the rehearsal, the actress talks about the pressure she felt as a woman who did not negotiate her salary too aggressively at American Hustle out of fear they would not like her.
She questioned whether women are socially conditioned to express their opinions in a way that does not offend or scare men.
Angelina Jolie
The humanitarian and Oscar winner spoke about female empowerment on a National Democratic Institute panel called Changing the Face of Politics. She spoke about the struggles that she sees in women who still don't recognize their worth.
"Women contribute so much; they are generous, nurturing, strong, intelligent, and community builders by nature. Why do so many women still don't know their own worth?" the actress reflected.
Yalitza Aparicio
The first indigenous woman to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress dignifies domestic workers and advocates for indigenous communities' rights in Mexico. The protagonist of the film Roma also speaks in favor of abortion and women's rights. Yalitza was named a goodwill ambassador for UN Women as her story continues to empower and encourage other women.
The struggle of these activist actresses has reached many causes in different countries. Raising their voices helps raise awareness of common issues that many women face daily, such as sexual harassment, the pay gap, and sexism. Their actions provide new opportunities for other women and encourage victims to speak up.
