The British actress Emma Watson gave a speech at the UN defending gender equality and against sexist culture, which remains rooted in the world, “even in my liberal Britain”, according to her.
So much so that soon after her speech, cyber criminals threatened to release photos of the star in naked poses to demoralize her.
Certainly when such a famous star makes a speech of this kind, it calls the world’s attention to the problem. Many women make the same speech every day, in neighborhoods, trade unions, street mobilizations and nothing happens. And not just because of the media, but mainly because Emma does not tell the whole truth, she creates illusions that an institution such as the UN can give equal rights to women. This is the true meaning of the actress’ speech.
Sleeping with the enemy
Emma Watson’s participation at the UN General Assembly as Women Goodwill Ambassador is not a chance event. Is part of a UN campaign called HeforShe intended to draw men to engage in the fight against sexism. The situation of women, especially the poor and the working women in colonial and semicolonial countries is increasingly serious, if not already entered into barbarism. And that is neither good for UN’s image nor for the bourgeoisie and their businesses.
The increasingly critical situation of women and other oppressed sectors as Blacks and immigrants is directly linked to the UN’s actions itself. The merely formal convictions of governments that tolerate oppression and prejudice and of religious sects, whose retrograde behaviors harm women, are not a solution. On the other hand, the UN turns a blind eye against what is becoming a deliberate policy: in the numerous wars that are taking place against the people, promoted by imperialism, the rape of women has been common, becoming a weapon to demoralize and defeat the opponent.
It comes to be a contradiction demanding a policy from the UN against this, demanding the respect for its own Charter of Principles, because it would require that it condemns wars, religious sects and dictatorial governments. It would cease to be an imperialist institution. And this is far from the role of the UN, an instrument created by the major imperialist powers precisely to legitimize their oppressive actions against the colonial and semicolonial peoples.
Interests at stake
The UN was founded in 1945, shortly after World War II, to be an instrument of peace among all people and ensuring equality and respect for human rights. It would be the united nations above all, above any particularism, finally, the absolute state as taught by Hegel, hovering above the head of all men and promoting equality for all.
On June 26, 1945, in San Francisco (USA), the American president Harry Truman launched the Charter of Principles of the UN and said exactly that: “This Charter was not the work of any single nation or group of nations, large or small. It was the result of a spirit of give-and-take, of tolerance for the views and interests of others.”
When, at the turn of the millennium, various NGOs and intellectuals wanted the UN to become a great World Parliament, by its full democratization, we asked “Can a ‘world parliament’ over the states, armies, multinationals, banks, be able to democratically impose decisions against their will?” (Marxism Alive n. 2, 2000)
The long awaited equal rights, quite an old democratic banner, which comes from the French Revolution of 1789, is not part of the UN program; at least true equality between men and women. The UN promotes campaigns for equality, deepening democracy, the realization of a fraternal and happy society without wars and genocides, without bloodshed and for the freedom of all peoples. However, the truth has never been more distant; every day the world looks less like this fantasy. This idyllic world built by the UN that even allows a famous actress to speech demanding equal rights (in other words, accusing the capitalist world and the UN itself to maintain inequality) does not exist.
In the name of “democracy”, the UN props up dictators who violate human rights, like Assad in Syria. In the name of “democracy”, the UN does nothing to prevent the mutilation of women in Africa, the Middle East and other countries. It does nothing to prevent the genocide against the Palestinian people, perpetrated by Israel and American imperialism since 1948. It does nothing to prevent millions of women to be raped and abused every day, to live in slums and die from illegal abortions.
The equality we need
Speeches like Emma Watson’s bring fame and projection to UN campaigns, very needed because they never solve anything. Economic crises, “armed peace” and the growing poverty of the people are elements that aggravate all oppressions, but imperialism continues masking it all with its fake democracy.
The emancipation of women is a real necessity and can’t be based on abstract rights. The speeches and campaigns against sexism, sexual harassment and oppression are important, but must be accompanied by tangible measures. To match up to men in political, professional and everyday life, women need, before anything, full employment. They should have the right to work in jobs with equal pay and professional conditions if compared to men in the same jobs. To access this market, women need public kindergartens where to leave their children; decent housing and all public services available. They also need to get rid of double shift, which means the socialization of housework, i.e., that the state is responsible for them. She also must have total control over her own body. Neither the State nor the Church or any other institution has the right to decide for her, this is totally undemocratic. A woman should have the right to have an abortion when she desires, and this can only be achieved by legalizing abortion and allowing public hospitals to make them.
This entire program which aims at equality of rights, as defended by Emma Watson is not in UN plans. Just look at the statistics. There are fewer jobs, poorer public services and greater influence of the reactionary ideas of the Church, and every kind of sect, with veiled or blatant support of governments in all countries. Every kind of mystical ideas, superstitions and ignorance fill the vacuum left by a quality education, by intelligence and reason.
Here remains a reflection. Even crushed that way, people react. The struggles against authoritarian regimes, against imperialist domination and capitalist exploitation indicate a perspective for the oppressed peoples. It will not be the deepening of bourgeois democracy, as argued by some intellectuals and leftist currents that will solve the problem, because it is a democracy for the few. It’s necessary to change the very system, achieved only by a socialist revolution. This is the task of the working class in every country, formed by oppressed men and women, confused amid so much superstition, but with no other way than to unite and fight.
