Skip to main content

Leader: Emma Watson, gender equality - and why we've come a long way since 'EastBenders'

Opinion
Sophie Griffiths
10 May 2017

This week MTV hit headlines around the world with its noteworthy decision to introduce the first gender neutral awards.

Sophie Griffiths Leader image

The move was praised by stars such as Emma Watson, who, upon being honoured with the best actor award for her role in Beauty and the Beast, commented: “To me it indicates that acting is about the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and that doesn’t need to be separated into two different categories.”

Her point could be applied to any profession. There are few roles today where gender is relevant to the person’s ability to carry out the job, not least in travel. Which is why it was disheartening to learn that females in our industry still regularly earn less than their male counterparts.