The 21-time Grand Slam champion was questioned on the issue after her 48-minute 6-2 6-0 Wimbledon semi-final victory against Elena Vesnina.
Roger Federer and Andy Murray's Centre Court quarter-finals against Marin Cilic and Jo Wilfried-Tsonga lasted a combined seven hours and 11 minutes.
"I don't deserve to be paid less because of my sex," said Williams, 34.
The American was asked about equal pay by the media after she swept into her ninth Wimbledon title in under an hour while, on Wednesday, second seed Murray and third seed Federer were both taken to five sets.
In March, male world number one Novak Djokovic said men deserved to be paid more because more people watched them.
However, the 11-time Grand Slam winner apologised shortly afterwards, saying: "I don't make any differences between the genders. I am for equality in the sport."
His comments followed Indian Wells tournament chief Raymond Moore saying the women's game was "riding on the coat tails" of the men's.
Moore, who also said female players "should get down on their knees" in thanks to male counterparts, later resigned.
"Basically my whole life I've been doing this. I haven't had a life," defending Wimbledon champion Williams said.
"I would like to see people - the public, the press, other athletes in general - just realise and respect women for who they are and what we are and what we do."
Wimbledon was the last Grand Slam to introduce equal pay in 2007, while the French, US and Australian Slams introduced it in 2006, 1973 and 2001 respectively.
Williams will face Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the final on Saturday, after the German beat Venus Williams 6-4 6-4 in the other semi-final, in 72 minutes.
Kerber said: "We are giving everything on court, everybody. You never know if it's two hours or, at the end, eight hours."

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The Tigers are 19th in the table after Monday's 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough.
They had only 13 senior players available on the opening day of the season, and signed six in the last two days of the summer transfer window.
"Our signings have done their bit but they were last minute," said Davies. "I don't believe the manager had time to explore all of his options."
Mike Phelan succeeded Steve Bruce as Hull boss in July but was only given the job on a permanent basis in October.
The Tigers have scored only 11 league goals this season, fewer than any other team in the top flight.
"We need someone who can put the ball in the net," added Davies.
In a dour affair at the Riverside that was settled by a Gaston Ramirez header, Phelan's side did not seriously threaten the home goal until injury time.
"Our first shot on target was in the 92nd minute and that is not good enough," said Davies, who described his side as "gutless" and "embarrassing" after a 6-1 defeat at Bournemouth in October.
Hull, who have lost eight of their past 10 league games, were without six injured players and the suspended Dieumerci Mbokani for the trip to Boro.
"Hopefully come January we will look different," said Phelan.
"We need that investment. We can't afford any more injuries, it is going to be a hard slog throughout Christmas."

Building work at Wrexham Cemetery will see the restoration of Grade II-listed chapels and a lodge, which has been closed over safety concerns.
Wrexham council warned there would be some disruption, with paths, fencing and entrances also being improved.
It comes after the cemetery won a £1.1m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Councillor David A Bithell, lead member for the environment and transport, said work on the cemetery, which is on the register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Wales, would be completed in 2017.
The council said it was one of the finest examples of a Victorian cemetery in Wales with a well-preserved "gardenesque" cemetery landscape which was typical of the time it was created.
Serena Williams says female tennis players deserve their equal pay, in the latest debate about prize money.
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Hull City need help as they fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League, says defender Curtis Davies.
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A £1.5m refurbishment of a cemetery - hailed as one of the finest examples of a Victorian burial ground in Wales - could start in August.