Anne Hathaway's powerful message at the UN this Women's Day is something everyone needs to hear!

Anne Hathaway is not just a phenomenal actress but this International Women's Day, the 34-year-old Oscar-winning star made a powerful speech at the UN.

The actress took to the podium to address paid parental leave in the United States. Speaking at the UN's New York headquarters, Hathaway took a stand against the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Under the controversial act, caregivers are given just 12 weeks unpaid leave a year for childbirth and other reasons.

'That information landed differently for me when one week after my son's birth I could barely walk,' she said.


Hathaway speaks at the UN International Women's Day commemoration with UN officials, gender experts and activists, private sector and celebrities at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. (Image: AFP)

That information landed differently when I was getting to know a human who was completely dependent on my husband and I for everything, when I was dependent on my husband for most things and when we were re-learning everything we thought we knew about our family and our relationship,' she added.




'The Intern' star says the current law makes it extremely difficult for many already struggling families to make ends meet.

'Somehow we and every American parent were expected to be back to normal in under three months without income,' she said.

'The assumption and common practice that women and girls look after the home and the family is a stubborn and very real stereotype that not only discriminates against women, but limits men's participation and connection within the family and society,' she said as a woman and the UN Women goodwill ambassador.