Beyonce [Photo/Agencies]

 

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Beyonce believes gender equality is still a "myth".

The 'Drunk in Love' singer has written an essay questioning why women still typically get paid less than men holding similar positions in the US workplace.

She wrote: "We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn't a reality yet. Today, women make up half of the US workforce, but the average working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average working man makes.

"Unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change.

"Humanity requires both men and women, and we are equally important and need one another. So why are we viewed as less than equal? These old attitudes are drilled into us from the very beginning. We have to teach our boys the rules of equality and respect, so that as they grow up, gender equality becomes a natural way of life. And we have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible."

Beyonce also included a feminist message from writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on the track 'Flawless' on her recent self-titled album. As a successful recording artist, Beyonce is seen as a symbol of female empowerment and wants to inspire young people to follow her and stand up for their rights.

She added: "We have a lot of work to do, but we can get there if we work together. Women are more than 50 percent of the population and more than 50 percent of voters. We must demand that we all receive 100 percent of the opportunities."

Beyonce's essay is included in 'The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Pushes Back from the Brink' which is available to download for free until Wednesday.