Emma Watson’s UN speech on feminism fails to truly enable change for victims of gender violence and takes the spotlight away from experts with actual solutions

The speech delivered by 24-year-old actress Emma Watson at the United Nations is presented as a testimony motivated by responsibility. The actress speaks about herself, her fears and vulnerabilities, and about personal situations that are related to a series of violent acts in which her traumatic experience is among the mildest: “I‟ve had my arse slapped as I‟ve left a room. I‟ve felt scared walking home. I‟ve had people following me. I don‟t talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they‟ll sound like a huge deal and I don‟t want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse” (Watson, 2014). Her testimony tries to connect with the experiences of many women, without focusing on trauma.

She combines the double dimension of giving testimony and being a witness of oppressive experiences, but highlighting her situation of privilege. As witness, just like Beyoncé, she occupies the voices instead of giving voice to the diversity of experiences.

On the new knowledge about the reality of gender-based violence that inspires the testimony, Watson‟s speech is innovative in different areas: on the one hand, it highlights…