Jennifer Lawrence Says Loved Ones ‘Encouraged Me Not to’ Be Involved in Doc About Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

“It’s dangerous — of course it is. But there’s 20 million women whose lives are in danger,” said the actress, who is currently expecting her second child

Jennifer Lawrence is opening up about the importance of being involved in the powerful new documentary Bread and Roses.

Produced with the help of Lawrence and Malala Yousafzai, the upcoming Apple film details the impact on women of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan and how three women “fight to recover their autonomy,” according to an official synopsis.

The Academy Award winner, 34, appeared alongside Yousafzai, 27, and director Sahra Mani on CBS Mornings Tuesday, Nov. 19, where they discussed the impact of the documentary and Gayle King asked Lawrence about her involvement.

“Jennifer, were you concerned about speaking out publicly about this? Did your family and friends encourage you or say, ‘Oh, are you sure you want to step out this way?’ ” asked King, 69.

“My family and friends definitely encouraged me not to,” replied Lawrence, who is currently pregnant and expecting her second child with husband Cooke Maroney. “It’s dangerous — of course it is. But there’s 20 million women whose lives are in danger.”

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Related: Why Jennifer Lawrence Is Endorsing Kamala Harris and Producing 2 Women’s Rights Docs: ‘Women Are Dying’ (Exclusive)

King went on to ask the No Hard Feelings actress about any comment she heard from “trolls” who might criticize her “inserting herself” into this conversation.

“Well, they always say different things,” Lawrence told King, laughing. “I did a 60 Minutes interview where I explained that I dropped out of middle school, so I’m technically not educated. And so I think the common [criticism]especially with this subject, is, ‘Why is somebody without an education trying to talk about ‘politics’?’ “

“To that,” Lawrence continued, “I say, it’s not political. It’s people’s lives.”

“It’s political in the sense that you should push your congresspeople and you should get involved to make our government more accountable, then the UN can recognize gender apartheid,” she added. “But I don’t find it political. And also, I am educated in filmmaking. I’m educated in telling stories.”

Related: Pregnant Jennifer Lawrence Shows Off Baby Bump at Bread & Roses Premiere: See Her Look!

Lawrence and art-gallery director Maroney, 40, shared the news of their second child on the way via a Vogue Instagram post and article on Oct. 20.

“Congratulations are in order for Jennifer Lawrence! The Oscar-winning actor will be welcoming her second child with art gallerist husband Cooke Maroney,” the magazine wrote in the caption of the post, adding that representatives for Lawrence had confirmed the happy news to Vogue.

Representatives for the actress did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment at the time.

Maroney and Lawrence, who married in October 2019, are already parents to 2-year-old son Cy, whom they welcomed in February 2022.

Bread and Roses premieres on Apple TV+ Friday, Nov. 22.