Actress Emma Watson has repeated her calls for gender equality while announcing a new initiative aimed at advancing women's empowerment at World Economic Forum in Davos.

Watson, a UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador, spoke of how the world is being held back "in every way" because women are not treated equally to men.

Following her highly praised speech to the United Nations last September to launch the HeForShe campaign, Watson unveiled the latest initiative IMPACT 10X10X10,a year-long plan to "galvanise momentum in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment".

Watson appeared alongside representatives such as secretary-general Ban Ki-moon and UN under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to launch the IMPACT 10X10X10, which hopes to engage governments, corporations and universities as "instruments of change" for women's equality.

Watson said: "The groundswell of response we have received in support for HeForShe tells us we are tapping into what the world wants: to be a part of change. Now we have to channel that energy into purposeful action.

"The pilot initiative provides that framework. Next we need all country leadership, as well as that of hundreds of universities and corporations to follow HeForShe's IMPACT 10X10X10 so as to bring an end to the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls globally."

She added: I spoke about some of my story in September, what are your stories?"

"Girls who have been your mentors, parents did you make sure you treated your children equally, if so how have you done it?"

"Husbands have you been supporting your female partners privately so that she can fulfill her dreams too?"

"Businessmen have you mentored, supported or engaged women in leadership positions?"

"Writers, have you challenged the language and imagery used to portray women in the media?"

"CEOs, have you implemented the women's empowerment principles in your own company - what change have you seen?"

Ki-moon added: "HeForShe has signed up fathers who want to raise empowered daughters; leaders who know their societies will be stronger when there are as many women in parliament and in business as men; and ordinary people who are fed up with violence and discrimination against women – and want to be part of a global force for change."

Following the launch of the HeForShe campaign in September, more than 200,000 males have signed their commitment to gender equality through the 'HeForShe Commitments API'.

Concluding her Speech, Watson reiterated her belief of the importance for gender equality.

"It is my belief that there is a greater understanding than ever that women need to be equal participants in our homes, in our societies, in our governments, and in our work places", she said.

"They know that the world is being held back in every way, because they are not. Women share this planet 50/50 and they are underrepresented, their potential astonishingly untapped."

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