From Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Douglas Booth to Forrest Whittaker and Simon Pegg, many of these supporters are male - refreshing given that feminism is often, as Emma points out, associated with 'man-hating'.
“I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me,” she said. “But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word.
“Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive. Why is the word such an uncomfortable one?”
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She added: "For the record, feminism by definition is: 'The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.'"
Emma was appointed as the UN Women Goodwill Ambassador six months ago, but in her speech, she said she first became aware of sexism at the age of eight, when she was called "bossy" for wanting to direct school plays - her male classmates were not described in the same way.
"At 14 I started being sexualized by certain elements of the press. At 15 my girlfriends started dropping out of their sports teams because they didn’t want to appear muscly," she added.
As well as pointing out the discrimination women often face, Emma refreshingly highlighted that men can suffer because of gender inequality too.
Here are just a few of the celebrities joining Emma and the UN's #HeForShe campaign.
Guys, @EmWatson really got it right. Gender equality isn't about taking a side, it's about human dignity for all. It's evolution #HeForShe
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) September 23, 2014As a feminist and a human being, I agree with @emwatson (read her speech) @UN_women #heforshe (pic by @amandapalmer) pic.twitter.com/prm1O2LRUg
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) September 23, 2014And speaking of #Feminism, @EmWatson is doing a great project called #HeForShe. Go check it out http://t.co/vSrNTdFY3Q
— Joseph Gordon-Levitt (@hitRECordJoe) September 22, 2014Husband to a wife, father to a daughter, son to a mother. You bet I'm on board, @EmWatson! #heforshe pic.twitter.com/5SyIKIbCZo
— Simon Pegg (@simonpegg) September 23, 2014I am a passionate supporter of gender equality. @EmWatson @HeForShe @UN_Women pic.twitter.com/IpudHsNpu3
— Douglas Booth (@DouglasBooth) September 20, 2014Proud to support the #HeForShe campaign of @UN_Women pic.twitter.com/BVMoJ4oJph
— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) September 20, 2014Emma Watson. I applaud you. http://t.co/7sTF6KsQKx
— Gregg Sulkin (@greggsulkin) September 23, 2014http://t.co/t1eKNGqswz bravo @EmWatson
— Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) September 21, 2014The need for gender equality & the REAL meaning of feminism, beautifully articulated by @EmWatson : http://t.co/5vkm6z2bqz #HeForShe
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) September 22, 2014Watch this, rewatch this, retweet this. I applaud @EmWatson http://t.co/Ww52Ttab1K #HeForShe x
— Phoebe Tonkin (@1PhoebeJTonkin) September 22, 2014Powerful @EmWatson
#HeForShe
http://t.co/cJgmMD6OSc
— Kate Bosworth (@katebosworth) September 23, 2014Love this. #women @VanityFair: Emma Watson's game-changing speech on feminism http://t.co/AN9U5ftGvx pic.twitter.com/KBdjs4NGsG
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) September 22, 2014Equality for all.... #HeForShe
— Cat Deeley (@catdeeley) September 22, 2014.@emwatson made an amazing speech during #HeForShe event http://t.co/IBCmQcJJ5z Attention best put on her message, not people harassing her.
— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) September 23, 2014Hey @EmWatson I applaud & thank you for this http://t.co/Z3O5NByELp taking the pledge today. Let's do this. #HeForShe ❤️
— Kate Nash (@katenash) September 22, 2014Very inspiring speech from @EmWatson for @HeforShe here at the UN http://t.co/C7nvgSARQY what a brave and wonderful girl #HeForShe
— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) September 22, 2014