Salma Hayek’s comments at a recent women’s equality event have stirred controversy. Picture: AP Source: AP
SALMA Hayek fans were left scratching their heads after the actor and advocate’s recent appearance at an LA Make Equality Reality event in Los Angeles.
The 48-year-old, who was accepting an award for her work furthering women’s rights at the event, said she was strongly in favour of gender equality — but also declared that she doesn’t consider herself a feminist.
“I am not a feminist,” she told People Magazine on the red carpet before the event.
“If men were going through the things women are going through today, I would be fighting for them with just as much passion. I believe in equality.”
To be clear, feminism is broadly defined as ‘the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes’ — essentially, the very thing Hayek was receiving an award for while she declared herself not a feminist.
Hayek’s reluctance to identify with the term seemed all the more puzzling given the passion with which she spoke to People Magazine about empowering women — including her seven-year-old daughter Valentina.
“She’s aware that her mommy fights for the rights of women, that there are many places in the world where they are not entitled to the rights,” she told the magazine.
“She knows everything I do for Chime for Change [the women’s charity she co-founded with Beyoncé] and how important it is in my life. That’s all I can do. Just try to live an example of the things I believe in.”
Here’s Hayek posing with fellow honouree, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, at the event.
Salma: “You know I’m not actually a-” Gloria: “DON’T even say it.” Picture: AP Source: AP
Salma, you’re a working mother with a hugely successful Hollywood career. You’re a powerful advocate for charitable causes including ending violence against women, advocating for breastfeeding in impoverished African countries and campaigning for women’s rights in Afghanistan.
Basically, you’ve made it your life’s work to kick arse and take names in the pursuit of making life better for women all over the world. Why are you so afraid of one little F-word?
