In conversation with Jemima Khan, Eva Longoria discussed a range of topics including women in business, sexism in Hollywood and the challenges of ageism.
The diminutive Desperate Housewives star recently completed a Master’s degree in regarding Latina involvement in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) field. Her studies led her to discover that, even today, many are discouraged from the field. Today in Dublin, she called on systematic overhaul to address the problems.
“I think something has to change,” she said. “It’s very hard to navigate the educational system in general, and even more when you’re a woman interested in these fields and discouraged by it.”
She also admitted that her acting career has been hit by prejudicial barriers, and that ageism, sexism and racism is well and truly alive, but implored that would be actresses write the parts they want, rather than wait for them to be handed to them.
“There is definitely under-representation of women in film and television,” she said. “I think a large part of that is they’re not behind the camera: there are not enough writers and directors and producers that are female.”
She outlined the work done by the Eva Longoria foundation in encouraging women to educate and empower themselves, while calling upon attendees of the Web Summit - just 15% of whom are women - to act as mentors to younger women.
“I want to challenge all the women here today to become mentors to young women, and show them the way, and show them your path,” she added. “Because without mentors, the system does not work.”
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