Emma Watson Covers Elle UK's Feminism Issue

Emma Watson: 'Feminism Is Not Here To Dictate To You'

On the heels of her powerful United Nations speech in the name of gender equality, Emma Watson covers Elle UK's feminism issue and discusses how she is using her fame to make a difference.

Watson made headlines around the world for her powerful speech when launching the HeForShe campaign at the U.N. Summit in September. She took to the podium and declared that feminism is "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities," and that men can be feminists, too.

"I was very nervous," she told Elle UK. "It wasn’t an easy thing for me to do. It felt like: 'Am I going to have lunch with these people, or am I going to be eaten? Am I the lunch?'"

The British actress skyrocketed to fame after first appearing as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" films franchise, which began back in 2001. However, celebrity hasn't been the easiest role for her. Speaking out on behalf of equality is her way of channeling and managing that fame.

She is passionate about the cause of feminism.

"Feminism is not here to dictate to you," she told Elle UK. "It’s not prescriptive, it’s not dogmatic. All we are here to do is give you a choice. If you want to run for president, you can. If you don’t, that’s wonderful, too. I’m lucky I was raised to believe that my opinion at the dinner table was valuable. My mum and I spoke as loudly as my brothers."

Head over to Elle UK to read more. The full interview appears in the December 2014 issue, on newsstands Oct. 30.

emma watson

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