Actor Edgar Ramirez Asks: What Does It Mean To Be Human?

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- At the UN Women HeForShe second anniversary event, held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, actor Edgar Ramirez spoke about how the social norms that define masculinity are destructive for men, women and societies as a whole. By posing the philosophical question, "what does it mean to be human?", Ramirez posited that even though it is our feelings that make us human, the expression of feelings is often discouraged by society, particularly for men and boys. Ramirez said the consequences are a burden for everyone and an impediment to gender equality, stating, "In the journey for equality, women and men are like two strands of DNA wrapped together in an embrace. Our burdens are as intertwined as our common destiny. The constraints that burden me will eventually burden you.  And the same is true in reverse: as long as you are burdened, I am too. By recognizing this inter-dependence, I can work for your well-being and know that I am also working towards my own. I can know that whatever action I take to free you, also frees me. This is not just what makes us human. This is what makes us a human family."

Watch Full Video: http://www.heforshe.org/en/newsroom/events/heforshe-turns-two-live 
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Photos from the events will be available at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/heforshe/

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UN Women is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. For more information, visit www.unwomen.org. UN Women, 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017, New York. Tel: +1 646 781-4400. Fax: +1 646 781-4496.

ABOUT HeForShe
Created by UN Women, the HeForShe solidarity movement for gender equality provides a systematic approach and targeted platform on which men and boys can engage and become change agents towards the achievement of gender equality. HeForShe invites men and boys to build on the work of the women's movement as equal partners, crafting and implementing a shared vision of gender equality that will benefit all of humanity. For more information, visit http://www.heforshe.org

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