Yahoo Lifestyle Emma Watson Laughs Off Sexist Remarks
UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson has posted a photo of herself laughing in response to the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc's recent sexist remarks.
Arinc spoke out on July 28 against "moral corruption" in Turkey (which apparently includes laughing in public), saying a woman should know the difference between public and private.
"A women should be chaste," said Arinc. "She should not laugh in public. Where are our girls, who slightly blush, lower their heads and turn their eyes away when we look at their face, becoming the symbol of chastity?"
In response, Instagram has been flooded with pictures of women in Turkey laughing in public places using the hashtag #direnkahkaha - with Watson's image the latest to rebuff the blatantly sexist remarks.
The 24-year old Harry Potter star, who was recently appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador, wrote underneath her image, "#laugh #direnkahkaha @UN_Women". She also included a link to a newspaper article about the deputy prime minister's comments.
Arinc appeared to backtrack the day after his controversial speech, explaining he intended his comments towards both sexes. However, his bizarre response only served to further ignite the issue.
"There are some artists who now laugh artificially and send me their photos. Real laughs relieve a person, but these are artificial ones. Those who go for a vacation with their lovers while leaving their husbands behind and can't wait to climb poles when they see one," Mr Arinc added.
The sexist comments appeared to be the perfect opportunity for Turkey's opposition presidential candidate, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, to remark on the matter.
"If there's one thing we need it's the hearty laughter of women," he posted on Twitter.
Amen.
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