LAST week, I watched the first episode of The Apprentice, and was cringing at some of the comments made by the contestants.

These people are meant to be some of the best businessmen and women in the country, yet the words of one particular female contender made me shudder with rage.

Sarah Dales put herself forward as project manager, only to instruct her all-female team to put on short skirts and wear make-up, because, in her view: “Most people will buy from females because females look more attractive.”

Her comments were incredibly offensive, and so unbelievably old-fashioned – I’m shocked she managed to secure a place on the show in the first place.

It seems that with each year it returns, the contestants have been chosen not for their entrepreneurial talent, but their controversial views.

However, there will be people who take it seriously, and Sarah Dales’ views could be potentially damaging in a world where females are still struggling for equality.

It’s unfortunate, and sad, that more people will probably hear Sarah’s outdated opinion rather than the inspiring speech made by actress Emma Watson, in her campaign for gender equality, when she addressed the United Nations.

She suggested that feminism has become a word associated with ‘man-hating’, and invited men to fight the battle against sexism, saying: “Gender equality is your issue too.”

She’s right. And it’s something that has recently been in my thoughts, after I was diagnosed with endometriosis – a condition which affects only women.

Despite it being more common than diabetes, so many people have never heard of it. Why is this? I believe part of the reason is because women are too embarrassed to talk about it, particularly as one of the symptoms is heavy, painful periods.

Women need to be brave and speak out, so other women, and men, recognise the symptoms of this illness. After all, it could be your daughter or wife silently suffering.

I find it incredibly frustrating that in 2014 I am made to feel embarrassed to talk about my illness openly because it is seen as ‘women’s problems’.

Endometriosis is a problem for men too. It costs the UK economy £8.2 billion a year in treatment, loss of work and healthcare costs. Surely that’s an issue we should all be concerned about?

I hope that people won’t take Sarah Dales’ comments seriously, because it’s people like her who make the fight for gender equality even harder.

If women are seen as sexual objects, how can we ever get to the stage where we feel comfortable talking about periods?

Emma Watson is the one we should listen to, and hopefully her powerful words will encourage everyone to realise that gender equality is an issue that still needs to be addressed, for many reasons.

-Emily Roberts