Workplace fund gets £1 million boost from top actress

The movement to help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace just got a £1 million boost from British actress Emma Watson.

“This movement is bigger than just a change in our industry alone,” said Watson, as she donated to the UK Justice and Equality Fund, which aims to make workplaces safe for all and ensure anyone subjected to harassment and abuse is able to access support .

Watson also joined at least 190 fellow British actresses in signing a new open letter from the #TimesUp movement ahead of the Bafta awards Sunday night.

The letter was published in The Observer.

The statement talked about harassment, discrimination and abuse in workplaces across industries and countries.

“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.”

The letter touched on the persistent gender pay gap where men receive higher pay than women doing the same jobs, as well as the emergence on the gig economy that has created power relationships conducive to harassment and abuse.

“Everyone can make a difference by using your platform, your voice and your power as a changemaker,” the letter said.

“Finally, we are talking to each other, talking to our employers, our unions, our male allies and challenging our perpetrators and their enablers. Where there was isolation and silence in the film industry there is now connection and voice. Where there was internalisation and self-blame, there is now self-analysis and interrogation. We are connecting and partnering with our fellow workers, women and men, in a truly transformational way. Such unity has been inspirational for all of us. We want you to be part of this.”