Emma Watson Calls for More Women in Politics in Uruguay

This week, British actress Emma Watson (24) traveled to the country’s capital Montevideo, Uruguay. She arrived in her capacity as Goodwill Ambassador for the UN’s women’s agency. This action is following the lead of Angelina Jolie and others who have strived to use their fame to make a difference in the world. While Watson’s U.N. role is advocating for gender equality and empowerment of women, Jolie has focused her efforts on helping refugees and displaced populations worldwide.

image source: web.orange.co.uk

In Uruguay, she came for an event organized by women’s groups to push legislators to support increasing the number of female elected officials. Hundreds of young people waited to greet her in a rave and brought her immensely touched. While there, she delivered a 4,000-signature petition, sponsored by women's rights organizations, calling for greater political participation for women to the lawmakers. Watson said that the women’s rights are personal to her, especially on political participation and leadership. Watson emphasized that women must have a say in matters that affect their countries, communities and families. After all, she noted that women’s equal participation in decision-making is a question of justice and democracy due to the number of women that are half of the population.

Talking about gender or women participation in politic in Uruguay is hard instead. Even though, critics say loopholes still allow parties to prioritize their male candidates for seats. Unlike many of its South American neighbors, Uruguay has never had a female president. Moreover, this country just have 13 per cent women in its parliamentarians. Under new rules adopted for elections next month, at least one-third of all parties' candidates must be women.

Watson’s trip to Uruguay was her first U.N. role, undertook since her an appointment two months ago. But this is not her first time in humanitarian or political action. She has previously visited Bangladesh and Zambia for humanitarian efforts. She also served as an ambassador for Camfed International, a movement promoting efforts to educate girls in rural Africa.

Since the early 1950s, the U.N. has asked prominent personalities from a variety of fields to be Goodwill Ambassadors or celebrity advocates working on behalf of U.N. initiatives. Other current U.N. Women’s Ambassadors are actress Nicole Kidman and Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol from Thailand. When asked to serve, Watson admitted it was truly humbling and promised that she would not take the responsibility lightly.

references: www.express.co.uk; guardianlv.com