Meghan Markle Gives Powerful Speech In South Africa About Gender Violence

Sep 24, 2019 by apost team

This Monday, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and son Prince Archie touched ground in Cape Town, South Africa, kicking off their 10-day-tour of Africa. The tour is one of Markle’s first Royal Duties since taking time off for maternity leave.

While the Duchess of Sussex and Archie are set to stay in South Africa, the Duke will also be visiting Botswana, Angola, and Malawi.

British High Commissioner Nigel Casey explained the tour is meant to celebrate the special relationship between South Africa and the UK. 

"Visits like this play can important part in celebrating, sustaining and renewing what is a dynamic, modern relationship between the UK and South Africa," said Casey, as per CNN. "The UK has also historically been a leading investor in South Africa and we are determined to do all we can to sustain that."

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It seems as though the Royal couple hit the ground running, with them already completing their first engagement by visiting the Nyanga Methodist Church in Nyanga township, Cape Town. The Duke, Duchess, and Archie were welcomed with musicians and dancers as they greeted members of the community.

Markle also took the opportunity when in Nyanga to give a speech aimed towards women who have fallen victim to domestic violence. 

“You are incredible and what you are doing is so powerful because you are so powerful," she told workers and volunteers at the Justice Desk in Cape Town's Nyanga township. "The work that is being done here to keep women and children safer is needed more than ever.” said Markle.

The Duchess went on to explain that she and Harry have been following the gender violence crisis in South Africa.

“We are eager to learn and see first hand the vital work that you’re doing ... on the ground to make the change, not just that you need but also deserve,” she added.

The 38-year-old tried to connect with the women present on a personal level, explaining that the issue of women’s rights is one that is close to her heart. 

“I know that when women are empowered the entire community flourishes," the Duchess continued.

"On one personal note, may I just say that while I’m here with my husband as a member of the royal family, I want you to know that for me, I am here has a mother, as a wife, as a woman, as a woman of color and as your sister," she added.

“I am here with you and I am here for you."

As Prince harry jets off to his next destinations on Wednesday, Meghan will reportedly visit the mothers2mothers initiative in Cape Town. The initiative is a peer-based-program that aims to assist mothers with a positive HIV status by offering them essential services in their communities, helping them find employment and educated them on avoiding transmission of HIV to their children.  According to their official website, the initiative has assisted over 11 million women since 2001 in 10 different states, as well as helped over 10,000 women with HIV into the workforce.

Are you excited to see what the rest of the Royal African Tour holds for the Royal Sussex family? Let us know in the comments - and make sure you pass this along to your friends and family!