Elizabeth grew up in Zimbabue, Africa in a village where women did all the work and men made all important decisions. She tells the story: « One day, I was 8 years old, I was hungry, I was laying under a tree, weak, no strength. The girl in the blue uniform brought me food and comfort. I asked the girl: « Why are you here? » The lady in the blue uniform said: « We are Africa, we need to uplift each others ». »
At 10 years old, she went to school and once there, she realized a few things. « In the village we are all equal. But once I got at school, I realized that I see so much inequalities: Racial, because of the color of my skin, Gender because I was born a girl, Social because of my humble upbringing.
Then when she went back to her village, where she knew was HOME, where everybody was equals, she realized that when she went back, her village was looking at her differently: « In their eyes, I am no longer their equals, I feel guilty, I feel guilty. Then I remember the girl in the blue uniform, « we must uplift each others » I too need to uplift my village. I joined United Nations and realized my dream to become the girl in the blue uniform. »
Her story inspired the HeforShe Movement created in 2014. Elizabeth Nyamayaro is Senior Advisor to Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women and the head of the HeForShe Initiative.
Why involving Emma Watson (Hermione) in the campaign? The point: « In order for this to resonate in a way, we needed an authentic voice, if I did it, nobody would care. As this relates to young women, I needed to find a young women able to speak to the issues, mothers goes to work and are still not paid equally. Emma Watson is perfect for having the message delivered.
« At first, not everybody agreed about why engaging men. I had to believe that there are a few good men out there, and there are. » People were saying: « Don’t engage men, they are the problem. They are not interested. She surprised everyone as, male CEO’s from all over the world were publicly holding up hashtags #HeforShe. The initiative got quick engagement from men from every country in the world.
The Impact10x10x10 is a top down initiative, how to identify leaders, that can advance gender inequality of course and also mainly, identify policies where there can be changes and tangible solutions that can be scaled. You can sit still, you have to do responsive listening, find a way to be as inclusive as possible. Working with groups that have issues, to address issues, we need more men at the table, we need more men to be bold.
« One can never underestimate the importance of having a good man in your life. » Was Elizabeth’s answer to the question: « How do you manage to take care of yourself personally? » She mentions she has an amazing husband, support, rock, energy. « It is not necessarily that we need men, we are strong. We got this. Yes women can break the glass ceiling but it is great if there is no glass ceiling so that I don’t hurt my hand trying to break it. »
UN uses a map that tracks the amount of engagement of men. Canada is less than 1%. It is a small disappointment. She managed to get the men at the top, which is great. Now they have yet to do enough to create momentum. The traction has yet to be seen. Canada is one of the best leading country in gender equality. Elizabeth is hopeful that Canadians will join. Click HERE: http://www.heforshe.org to show support now in a few clicks.
As a political scientist, Elizabeth knows her country needs. She plans to go back to Africa and run for office to be part of the solution in her coutnry. For UN, the goal is to engage men that make a difference: « Please believe me, men actually care, now we need results, yes it makes a difference »
Be part of the difference TODAY. Fellow Canadians, let’s join forces with HeForShe
http://www.heforshe.org