Jennifer Garner talks gender inequality in Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Jennifer Garner called attention to gender inequality at the Elle "Women in Hollywood" gala on Monday.

The 42-year-old actress was among those honored at the event, and gave an impassioned speech on how men and women are treated differently in Hollywood.

"The fact that there even needs to be a 'Women in Hollywood' event is a little bit sad," she declared. "I mean, the men in Hollywood event is every day -- it's called Hollywood. Fifty-one percent of the population should not have to have to schedule a special event to celebrate the fact that in an art that tells the story of what it means to be human and alive, we get to play a part."

Garner illustrated her point by sharing an anecdote about herself and husband Ben Affleck. The couple recently attended separate press junkets, and while Garner found herself regaled with questions about balancing work with family, Affleck was asked about Gone Girl co-star Emily Ratajkowski's breasts.

"We got home at night and we compared notes," the actress recalled. "As for work-life balance, he said no one asked him about it that day. As a matter of fact, no one had ever asked him about it. And we do share the same family. Isn't it time to kinda change that conversation?"

Garner and Affleck married in June 2005, and have three children together: Violet, Seraphina and Samuel. The actress will next appear alongside Al Pacino and Michael Caine in Danny Collins, while Affleck is scheduled for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Live by Night in 2016.