Emma Watson, the newly-appointed United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador, made an impassioned and compelling address at the UN headquarters on Saturday to help launch the HeForShe gender equality campaign, despite her nervousness.

Watson, in a speech, urged the international community to reexamine the term “feminism,” which has become “an unpopular word,” emphasizing that feminism is not about “man-hating,” but rather the conviction that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

“I decided that I was a feminist. This seemed uncomplicated to me. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Women are choosing not to identify as feminists. Apparently, I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, and anti-men, unattractive even,” she said.

“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong,” said Watson in her address. “It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals…. We can all be freer, and this is what HeForShe is about.”

Wolf Blitzer hosted the event, which aimed to “mobilize men against gender inequalities,” and 24 actor Kiefer Sutherland and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker were among the guests. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised Watson, who is best known for her role as Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter movie.

She encouraged men and boys to join the battle for gender equality, saying that it is “your issue too”.

“We don’t want to talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes but I can see that they are,” she adds.

“When they are free, things will change for women as a natural consequence. If men don’t have to be aggressive, women won’t be compelled to be submissive. If men don’t need to control, women won’t have to be controlled.”

“Why has the word become such an uncomfortable one?” Watson asked. “I think it is right I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially, I am afforded the same respect as men.”

“You might think, ‘Who is this “Harry Potter” girl? What is she doing at the UN?’ I’ve been asking myself the same thing,” she said. “All I know is that I care about this problem and I want to make it better. And having seen what I’ve seen and given the chance, I feel it is my responsibility to say something. Statesman Edmund Burke said all that is needed for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men and women to do nothing.”

The statement arrives only one day after the Obama administration launched its “It’s On Us” campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses. It, too, is aimed at males and advises them to avoid the bystander effect’s dangers. Men Can Stop Rape and other charities have been working to build allies in men who will speak out when a buddy is trying to take advantage of an inebriated woman and stop gender-bashing comments.

Ban Ki-moon added to Watson’s words, saying, “She’s been using her magic wand in her movie. I hope she will use [her] magic want to stop violence against women. Again, thank you very much for shining your spotlight on this life-saving work.”

The goal of the HeForShe initiative is to persuade 100,000 men to sign a pledge to eradicate gender inequity.

“I’ve seen my father’s role as a parent being valued less by society. I’ve seen young men suffering from mental illness, unable to ask for help for fear it would make them less of a man … I’ve seen men fragile and insecure by what constitutes male success. Men don’t have the benefits of equality, either. We don’t often talk about men being imprisoned by gender stereotypes but I can see that they are.”

Women in today’s society are not only subjected to emotional, bodily, and mental abuse, but they are also subjected to digital assault.