Gender Equality Is Your Issue Too
同志社香里中学校

２年

鹿村佳矢

to you because I need your help. We want to end gender inequality ― and to
do that we need everyone to be involved. For the record, feminism bydefinition is: “The belief that men and women should have equal rights andopportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality ofthe sexes.” I started questioning gender-based assumptions when at eight I
was confused at being called “bossy,” because I wanted to direct the plays wewould put on for our parents ― but the boys were not. I decided I was afeminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has
shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Apparently I am
among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too
aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive. Why is the word such an
uncomfortable one? I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I
am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I shouldbe able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women
be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I
think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But
sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all womencan expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say they
have achieved gender equality. These rights I consider to be human rights but
I am one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my parents
didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My school did not limit
me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t assume I would go less far
because I might give birth to a child one day.
Men ― I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal
invitation. Gender equality is your issue too. Because to date, I’ve seen myfather’s role as a parent being valued less by society despite my needing hispresence as a child as much as my mother’s. Both men and women should

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中学生―Ｄ部門

Today we are launching a campaign called “HeForShe.” I am reaching outfeel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong . . .
It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing setsof ideals. I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters andmothers can be free from prejudice but also so that their sons have
中学生―Ｄ部門

permission

tobevulnerable

andhumantoo ― reclaim

thoseparts

ofthemselves they abandoned and in doing so be a more true and complete
version of themselves.
You might be thinking who is this Harry Potter girl? And what is she
doing up on stage at the UN. It’s a good question and trust me, I have been
asking myself the same thing. I don’t know if I am qualified to be here. All I
know is that I care about this problem. And I want to make it better. If you
believe in equality, you might be one of those inadvertent feminists I spoke ofearlier. And for this I applaud you. We are struggling for a uniting word but
the good news is we have a uniting movement. It is called HeForShe. I am
inviting you to step forward, to be seen to speak up, to be the “he” for “she”.
And to ask yourself if not me, who? If not now, when?
Thank you.

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