Gina Rodriguez's heart is ''saddened'' by hate.

The 'Jane The Virgin' star received a number of negative comments when she shared her cover shoot for People en Espanol magazine and she has now hit back at her critics.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: ''You know what saddens my heart, is when you try and celebrate an accomplishment with those that have helped you achieve it and no matter what, someone, anyone, has something negative to say.

''Whether it was from the way my toes curled under to the way I typed my spanish. We desire to project our own insecurities and hatred on another. When did we decide social media was for hating, for putting others down rather than lifting them up. (sic)''

The 31-year-old actress also asked for people to consider how their words affected others.

She added: ''I refuse to participate in that kind of world. Before you write a comment today on anyone's picture or anyone's page ask yourself would you want others to say that about yourself? What am I getting out of being mean to another person I have never met?

''Yesterday I shared my joy for the cover of @peopleenespanol and I was blown away at the immediate hate projected on my page. My question to you today is this, do you know the power you have in this world and do you desire to use it for good? I do. #NoToKeyboardCourage. (sic)''