Hollywood's most lauded and celebrated women have launched an anti-harassment action plan in an attempt to fight the systemic sexual harassment in the industry, and support women in all workplaces who aren't privileged with the platform to speak out.
Over 300 leading actresses, female agents, writers, directors, producers, and entertainment executives announced the initiative called Time's Up on Monday (1 January).
The movement, championed by writer Shonda Rhimes and actresses Natalie Portman, Emma Stone, America Ferrera, Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon, includes a legal defence fund to help working-class women who may not have the financial resources to defend themselves against misconduct.
The plan - revealed in an open letter, which also ran as a full-page ad in the New York Times - includes a 'legislation to penalise companies that tolerate persistent harassment, and to discourage the use of nondisclosure agreements to silence victims', and a 'drive to reach gender parity at studios and talent agencies that has already begun making headway'.
In addition, it features a request that women 'walking the red carpet at the Golden Globes speak out and raise awareness by wearing black'.
Time's Up also responds to criticism of the #MeToo campaign, which some claimed overlooked working-class women by focusing instead on the accusers of high-profile men.
Shonda Rhimes told the Times: 'It's very hard for us to speak righteously about the rest of anything if we haven't cleaned our own house.
'If this group of women can't fight for a model for other women who don't have as much power and privilege, then who can?'
Witherspoon shared a post on the initiative on Instagram, along with the message: 'I stand with ALL WOMEN across every industry to say#TIMESUP on abuse, harassment, marginalization and underrepresentation.
'Join me! Sign the statement of solidarity & donate to the @TIMESUPNOW Legal Defense Fund.'
You heard the women...
Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.
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