Emma Watson is proud to be a 'feminazi'

Not all insults are created equal.

In an interview with Esquire, actress Emma Watson explores the criticism she's received since becoming an activist. As an outspoken feminist and ambassador to the UN women's initiative HeForShe, Watson says she's been labeled many things -- "difficult, "a diva," a "feminazi." And frankly, she couldn't care less.

"We are not supposed to talk about money, because people will think you’re ‘difficult’ or a ‘diva.' But there’s a willingness now to be like, ‘Fine. Call me a ‘diva’, call me a ‘feminazi’, call me ‘difficult’, call me a ‘First World feminist’, call me whatever you want, it’s not going to stop me from trying to do the right thing and make sure that the right thing happens.’ Because it doesn’t just affect me," Watson told Esquire.

The actress plans to take a year off from the screen to study gender inequity, focusing on the pay gap. Her organization, HeForShe, hopes to explore wage inequality on an international level. And while Watson recognizes her privileges as a wealthy woman, she says she's still able to see gender discrimination in her everyday life:

"I’ve had my arse slapped as I’ve left a room. I’ve felt scared walking home. I’ve had people following me. I don’t talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they’ll sound like a huge deal and I don’t want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse," Watson said. 

Throughout her career, Watson has wanted men to become active in the feminist movement. The HeForShe campaign, the actress hopes, will attract a male audience. The best way for men to become involved isn't just to read literature, but actually talk to the women in their lives:

"The only thing that is going to make a difference is if men go away and speak to the women in their lives about what they are experiencing," Watson said.

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