New mom Anne Hathaway celebrated International Women’s Day by giving a speech at the United Nations calling on companies across the world to offer paid parental leave. Referring to her new experience of being a mom, Hathaway talked about the major changes a family goes through when bringing home a baby and why parental leave is so needed (for both parents).
The Oscar-winning actress was named goodwill ambassador for the United Nations. She said having a baby really made her understand how the U.S.’s policy of 12 weeks unpaid leave isn’t even close to enough. And how American men being entitled to no leave is just appalling.
Hathaway was speaking to the U.N., but it was clear her remarks were directed towards U.S. policymakers.
Hathaway also cited the statistic that one in four American women go back to work only two weeks after giving birth because they can’t afford more time off. Two weeks! After delivering a baby, we all know that two weeks is ridiculous. But many families cannot afford to go unpaid for 12 weeks. That is the reality of the situation.
To see the Anne Hathaway’s passionate speech in it’s entirely, click here.
