Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Lawrence discuss 'equal pay' at pre-Oscars partyLos Angeles, Feb 28(AZINS) Actresses Patricia Arquette and Jennifer Lawrence took part in discussion on pay parity at Women in Film Pre-Oscar Cocktail Party.

The party was held to honour 2016's 51 female Oscar nominees, whose fate will be decided tomorrow at the 88th Academy Awards, reported Variety. Before the party commenced, Women in Film president Cathy Schulman led a toast to recognise all the 2016 Oscar nominees and invited "Straight Outta Compton" screenwriter Andrea Berloff, Arquette and Lawrence to share the stage.

47-year-old Arquette, who famously used her 2015 Oscar acceptance speech as a platform to discuss the gender wage gap, spoke about pay inequality's effect beyond the entertainment industry and the gap's impact on the country's poverty levels.

"Pay inequality affects women so drastically in America," she said. "Yes, in our business, but really in 98% of all businesses. What we end up with is this: 33 million women and kids who are living in poverty, who would not be, if they were paid their full dollar."

Lawrence, 25, graced the stage briefly after some prodding, noting that "this is the second night in a row this has happened to me." (The night before, she was also put on the spot for remarks at Arquette's Dinner for Equality.) Lawrence emphasised the importance of mentorship and reiterated Arquette's equal pay sentiments with a triumphant, "Equal pay for women!"

Also in attendance at Women in Film's pre-Oscar event were Jennifer Jason Leigh, Maria Bello, Charlotte Rampling, Emma Donoghue, Phyllis Nagy, Alicia Silverstone, Tom Hooper, Diane Warren, Mary Parent, Carrie Preston, Mya Taylor and Sophia Amoruso.