In a new interview, Madonna has claimed that gay rights have progressed at a faster rate than women’s rights.

In an interview with Out Magazine, following the release of her new album Rebel Heart, Madonna has said that she believes that women are now the most marginalised group.

“Gay rights are way more advanced than women’s rights. People are a lot more open-minded to the gay community than they are to women, period.”

The 56 year-old believes that the rights of African Americans and the LGBT community have moved further along in a shorter space of time than women’s rights. “It’s moved along for the gay community, for the African-American community, but women are still just trading on their ass.”

“To me, the last great frontier is women. They’re still the group that people won’t let change,” she said. “You must fit into this box: You must behave this way, dress this way.”

This comes as Madonna has received negative comments from a number of critics for her attire and behaviour as a woman in her 50s. Her preference for dating younger men, Madonna points out, is an aspect of her life about which “a man would never be questioned or criticised.”

“You’re still categorised — you’re still either a virgin or a whore,” she continued. “If you’re a certain age, you’re not allowed to express your sexuality, be single, or date younger men.”