Emma Watson Donates a Million Pounds to Anti-sexual Harassment Campaign
The letter highlights the issue of gender gap pay, the insecurities within the gig industry as well as freelance.
Harry Potter fame actress Emma Watson has donated £1m to UK Justice and Equality Fund which aims at helping the victims of sexual harassment. This fund will set up a designed framework to provide support to those affected victims. These donations are after an open letter was published with more than 200 British and Irish stars' signs to end sexual harassment at work. Other donations are from Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Jodie Whittaker and Noomi Rapace.
The letter was published in the newspaper The Observer and demands eradication of harassment from all industries, not only entertainment. The letter highlights the issue of gender gap pay, the insecurities within the gig industry as well as freelance. A research work found that half of the women in UK have encountered sexual harassment at their workplaces. Just ahead of the Bafta Awards, the Time's Up movement gained momentum as the signatories looked forward to celebrating the 'moment of solidarity and unity across borders by coming together and making this movement international.' The Time's Up movement meant these women would not wear black on the red carpet of the Awards night. The letter states, 'Let’s make 2018 the year that time was up on sexual harassment and abuse.’ And finishes with, ‘This is your moment too.’
This fund has been set up by women who have signed the letter, including academics, activists and charity workers. They will ensure in providing the victims with assistance and justice. Keira Knightley and Tom Hiddleston have each given £10,000. Jodie Whittaker and Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tamsin Greig and Noomi Rapace have each donated £1,000. The Go Fund Me page states: “We have created the Justice and Equality Fund, to create the far-reaching personal, social, legal and policy changes that will ensure everyone can feel safe at work, at play and at home. Together we can end the culture of harassment, abuse and impunity”.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2018 12:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).