The Public Theater Joins UN Women's HeForShe Movement

The Public Theater announced today that it will become the inaugural theatrical partner with HeForShe, the movement for gender equality from UN Women, in partnership with the City of New York. The first HeForShe Arts Week in support of global gender equality will run March 8-15, 2016, in New York, to coincide with International Women’s Day observed globally on March 8.

"The theater is a force for democracy, and the core idea of democracy is equality," said artistic director Oskar Eustis in a statement. "The theater is a collaborative form, and the core of collaboration is solidarity. The Public is proud to stand in solidarity with HeForShe and the United Nations as we fight together for a better world."

Actress and UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson adds, "The arts both reflect and influence culture. At its best, art shapes how we see the world. So it makes perfect sense for HeForShe to partner with arts institutions like the Public Theater to evolve the behaviors, norms, and perceptions that shapes our cultural view of gender."

During the inaugural arts week in March, additional artistic institutions will join the HeForShe Initiative and spotlight the work of UN Women as the global champion for the rights of women and girls. A percentage of proceeds will go to the organization to support its efforts to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality globally.

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 toward 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 about HeForShe, click here.