Singer Beyoncé has added her voice to the growing debate about gender equality in wages by submitting an essay to the The Shriver Report, which has been examining the rates of financial insecurity amongst American women.

Beyonce Knowles
Beyoncé Adds Her Voice To The Shriver Report, Which Looks At The Financial Security Of Women.

"We need to stop buying into the myth about gender equality. It isn't a reality yet," the R&B star begins before detailing the lack of equality between male and female pay in the US and calling for change. "Unless women and men both say this is unacceptable, things will not change. Men have to demand that their wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters earn more," she writes.

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Beyoncé arguably acts as a role model and beacon of strength for many women, with her songs about female empowerment, including 'Run The World (Girls).' Though 'Bow down b***ches' may not be the most female-friendly lyrics, Beyoncé's involvement in important contemporary issues will cast a light upon the inequalities of modern society and engage more young people in campaigning for their rights.

Beyonce Punk
The Singer Urges Readers "To Stop Buying Into The Myth About Gender Equality.

"So why are we viewed as less than equal? These old attitudes are drilled into us from the very beginning," asks the star, adding "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."

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The Shriver Report's recent findings include discovering that 42 million women in the USA are either living in poverty or are on the brink of living in poverty. Beyoncé's article was one in a series written by famous females, designed to get women engaged with issues that affect them. Other prominent women to have penned pieces in support of casting light on pay equality include Hilary Clinton, Eva Longoria and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Beyonce Performing
Beyoncé Has Used Her Voice To Stand Up For The Rights Of Women.

"We have a lot of work to do, but we can get there if we work together," writes mother-of-one Beyoncé. "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."