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British Actor and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson arrives to the presentation of the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign to Non Governmental Organizations at the Uruguay's Parliament in Montevideo on September 17, 2014. Image Credit: AFP

British actor Emma Watson says she is “immensely touched” by the reception she received in Uruguay, where she travelled as a goodwill ambassador for the UN’s women’s agency.

Hundreds of young people greeted the 24-year-old on Tuesday as she delivered a 4,000-signature petition to parliament calling for greater political participation by women.

Some lawmakers brought their children or grandchildren to meet Watson, who played Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films.

Thirteen per cent of Uruguayan parliamentarians are women, and the country has never had a female president.