Why Melissa McCarthy is a feminist and proud of it

Melissa McCarthy is proud to stand up for women and thinks others should do the same.

Actress Melissa McCarthy cannot understand why anyone would identify themselves as anti-feminist.

The 45-year-old opens up about her views on feminism in the latest issue of Redbook magazine, and while she isn't angered by people who don't support the concept, she just doesn't understand their reasoning.

"I always think, 'Oh, that sounds so dumb,"' she told the outlet. "And I don't mean that in a hateful way. It just sounds so ill-informed. Do you think women should be paid less? You don't believe in equality for women? I think people have worked hard to put a negative spin on the word."

Melissa believes there is a lot of negativity among women in all areas, particularly when it comes to body image.

While the Bridesmaids star has shed a lot of weight herself lately, she wishes females weren't so critical and competitive with each other.

"With women, there's this constant weird cultural thing where we're always supposed to be comparing ourselves with one another," she continued.

"Who wore it best? Whose butt's better? Instead, how about if everyone wins? How intensely boring would it be if we were all the same?"

The mother-of-two is determined her daughters won't struggle with self-esteem, and will strive to instil in them a sense of self-worth at every age.

"Give me your best punch in the face, and I'll take that punch, rather than have my kid feel bad about herself..." she said.

"There's an epidemic in our country of girls and women feeling bad about themselves based on what .5% of the human race looks like.

"It starts very young. My message is that as long as everybody's healthy, enjoy and embrace whatever body type you have."

- AAP