Sexual harassment in the work place and equal pay have been at the centre of women’s movement the last one year. The big names that unearthed were perpetrators who clearly thought they could get away with their crimes on account of being successful, rich, or famous. Thankfully, activitists and the media didn’t allow that to happen.
After the allegations against Harvey Weinstein brought forth horrific testimonies by women in Hollywood about sexual harassment, the #MeToo movement spread like wildfire. Women from across the world came together to finally open up about their painful encounters bringing some of the most influential names in the industry down to their knees.
This gave birth to the Time’s Up movement – a campaign that “addresses the systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace that has kept underrepresented groups from reaching their full potential”. Simply put, a campaign that has been launched by over 300 women in film, television, and theatre, to combat systematic sexual harassment in the workplace.
It’s time to shift the balance in the workplace, from representing the few to representing us all. Sign the #TIMESUP solidarity letter and donate to the #TIMESUP Legal Defense Fund right here: https://t.co/GNhkSnWIDb pic.twitter.com/a5oi2Sbaam
— TIME’S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) January 1, 2018
The 2018 Golden Globe Awards saw men and women grace the red carpet in black, showing solidarity for all those who have been affected by sexual harassment at the workplace, even sporting the ‘Time’s Up’ badge to show their support.
And it certainly looks like the campaign’s momentum has only just begun!
The 71st British Academy Of Film And Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards ceremony – Britain’s equivalent of the Academy Awards – was held on 18 February 2018, with the stars dressed in black, and donning the Time’s Up badge on the red carpet.
We wear black to say #TIMESUP on workplace harassment, abuse and inequality. We wear black to stand in solidarity with women of all industries, from the #BAFTAS & beyond, the message remains the same: we stand for safety and equity in the workplace #TIMESUP #WHYWEWEARBLACK pic.twitter.com/tFVAVfJQ3s
— TIME’S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) February 19, 2018
According to a report by Sky News, Frances McDormand, who was dressed in a red and black dress, and took home the award for the best actress said: “I have a little trouble with compliance but I stand in full solidarity with my sisters wearing black”.
“I appreciate a well-organised act of disobedience… Let it (this film) be a part of the positive public discourse that is happening…”
She added: “Not only are they entertaining they encourage a longer and broader conversation… when I was a young actor in drama School I was told that I was not gifted and I’d have to work for it, so I did… Power to the people.”
So happy to see my sisters making @TIMESUPNOW a Global Campaign 🌟
— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) February 18, 2018
But actors and actresses weren’t the only ones taking a stand on the important cause. Despite the royal family’s protocol of avoiding any political statements, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, wore a black belt with a dark green dress, showing her support for the movement as well.
Source: Sky News
According to BBC News, winner of best film, writer and director Martin McDonagh told the ceremony: “Our film is a hopeful one in lots of ways but it’s also an angry one, and as we’ve seen this year, sometimes anger is the only way to get people to listen and to change, so we’re thrilled that Bafta has recognised this.”
In a gesture of joint female protest coordinated with the American Time’s Up group, actresses such as Emma Watson, Emma Thompson, Emilia Clarke, Kate Winslet among several others came together to sign the powerful open letter titled ‘Sisters’, which was published in the Guardian and stated:
“This movement is bigger than just a change in our industry alone. This movement is intersectional, with conversations across race, class, community, ability and work environment, to talk about the imbalance of power.”
Emma Watson, being the amazing role model that she is, also donated a whopping 1 million pounds (Rs 9 crore) to the cause and spoke about the initiative going global, for the women of the world!
We are bringing it home to the UK! @timesupnow
Link here and in my bio to donate to the UK Justice and Equality fund. https://t.co/90ymNXxElk pic.twitter.com/D5Ebz48KAn
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) February 18, 2018
We are all praises for BAFTA for recognizing the importance of a cause as huge as this, and that Time’s Up as a movement truly is a global campaign and not something that is restricted to the United States of America.
