Emma Watson says women are paid less than men in films and elsewhere

Emma Watson has spoken out about gender inequality in Hollywood and other spheres of work. The 25-year-old actress said that female actors are not paid equally as their male counterparts.

In an interview to Esquire magazine prior to International Women's Day, the Harry Potter actress said that gender inequality in payments exist across all professions. "We are not supposed to talk about money, because people will think you're 'difficult' or a 'diva', Watson said. "But there's a willingness now to be like, 'Fine. Call me a 'diva', call me a 'feminazi', call me 'difficult', call me a 'First World feminist', call me whatever you want, it's not going to stop me from trying to do the right thing and make sure that the right thing happens."

"Because it doesn't just affect me, it affects all the other women who are in this with me, and it affects all the other men who are in this with me, too," she added.

The British actress, who is a goodwill ambassador for UN Women, stressed: "Hollywood is just a small piece of a gigantic puzzle but it's in the spotlight. Whether you are a woman on a tea plantation in Kenya, or a stockbroker on Wall Street, or a Hollywood actress, no one is being paid equally."

Known for her feminist stance and activism, Watson is the figurehead of UN's gender equality campaign HeforShe. During the interview, she even raised the issue of sexism faced by women by sharing her own experience.

"I've had my arse slapped as I've left a room. I've felt scared walking home. I've had people following me," the 25-year-old said. "I don't talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they'll sound like a huge deal and I don't want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse… this is unfortunately how it is."