【Halinghing】

He's one of the most renowned theoretical physicists but Halinghingwhen it comes to feminism, Stephen Hawking believes general acceptance, not scientific proof, is badly needed.

During an interview with ITV's Good Morning Britain Piers Morgan, who called people attending the Women's Marches in January "rabid feminists," asked Hawking about his views on gender equality.

The TV host asked Hawking whether the fact that the five most powerful people in the UK -- the Queen, Prime Minister Theresa May, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick -- are women is "scientific evidence" of gender equality.

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But Hawking was not fazed. “It is not scientific proof of gender equality that is required, but general acceptance that women are at least the equals of men, or better," he replied.

“This is coming. If we factor in high-powered women in Europe as well, such as Angela Merkel, it seems we are witnessing a seismic shift for women to accede to high-level positions in politics and society," he said.

“I welcome these signs of women’s liberation. But there may still be a gap between those women achieving high public status and those in the private sector."

Then Morgan asked Hawking if he was a feminist. The scientist replied:

"Yes, I have always supported women’s rights. I moved the admission of women to my college, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. The results were wholly good."