Bono To Trump: Make Gender Equality A Priority

Bono has urged Donald Trump to prioritise women and gender equality in his upcoming presidency.

The U2 frontman and activist was awarded Glamour magazine's Man of the Year award on Tuesday after his One campaign launched the Poverty is Sexist campaign last year.

He used his acceptance speech to call on Trump to promote more women.

"I say to the president-elect: look across to women, make equality a priority, it is the only way forward."

Bono of U2 and his wife Ali Hewson pose at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards in Los Angeles. Reuters

His call came as feminist groups are organising a mass protest in Washington DC for 21 January, the day after Trump will be sworn into office.

His presence at the awards sparked controversy with many on social media criticising the choice as it was the first time a man had been given a prize at the magazine's annual Women of the Year Awards. 

The Irish musician mocked his own trophy as "ridiculous".

He said: "I know how ridiculous it is for me to be on this stage accepting this award. "But if I didn't know how ridiculous it was, I did have the blessed internet to remind me.

He went on to give Trump tips on how to improve gender equality: "There is nowhere on Earth where women have the same opportunities as men."

"Unless we address this problem, both men and women together, the world will continue down this misogynistic, violent and impoverished path.

"The train is leaving the station, be on it or be under it."

Other awards went to International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde, who won the lifetime achievement prize, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and singer Gwen Stefani.

Also at the ceremony Amber Heard read out the victim statement from the survivor of the Stamford assault case, known only as Emily Doe. Doe was sexually assaulted by student Brock Turner while she was unconscious. Turner was jailed for just six months and then released after serving half his sentence.

"Wherever you are, we know you are listening. Thank you for your words. Thank you for your courage. We carry it with us every day," said Heard, whose divorce case with Johnny Depp involved allegations of domestic abuse.

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