Meghan discussed her advocacy work for women and trips to India and Rwanda
where impediments hindering girls from fulfilling their potential, such as
menstrual hygiene management, were clear barriers for girls. "Similar to you,
I see something that is so critical to be addressed and so critical to be
fixed and that by fixing that one thing, you end up fixing multiple problems.
What I realised very early on was that when women have a seat at the table,
conversations in terms of policy change, conversations in terms of
legislation, certainly in terms of just the dynamics of the community are all
shifted, and typically when a woman is present at the table, she's going to be
advocating for the entire family." Meghan continued: "So much is at stake if
we don't give a young woman an opportunity to learn and to get an education. I
think there is no greater time for all of us to acknowledge that with
everything else happening with Covid, on International Day of the Girl, for
each of us to make a commitment that yes, the layers upon layers that are
happening in this context of Covid-19 are immense but all it has done is add
on top of the problems that already existed."
More from
Harper's Bazaar:
'Duchess Meghan also discussed her priorities when it comes to raising Archie and explained, "To be able to raise our son in a way where everything about his nourishment is in terms of educational substance, and how you can learn and how you can grow. You know, having the privilege of being able to go to school is something that, I think, oftentimes is taken for granted."
Harry described the role of women's education as "critical" for the future
in fields of science and climate change efforts ahead. "With an education,
it provides money, it provides an income, which makes you less susceptible
to disaster, less consumption, so all of these things are so deeply
connected to one another that I think education at a young age opens up so
many doors and so many opportunities and so many possibilities." Malala
smiled and said to Meghan "you're blessed to have such a great companion".
Malala asked Harry and Meghan how they have been spending their time
amid the pandemic to which they responded with some adorable updates on
their "little one". "We were both there for his first steps. His
first run, his first fall, his first everything." Meghan added: "In so
many ways we are fortunate to be able to have this time to watch him
grow, and in the absence of COVID, we would be traveling and working
more. We’d miss a lot of those moments." Harry spoke about their efforts
supporting the causes they care about. "We've been working really,
really hard and completely understand and get how challenging this is
for absolutely everyone. The longer it goes on the more it's going to be
felt especially from a mental health aspect. This is a really unifying
moment to bring everyone together and acknowledge what everyone has been
through, this traumatic experience, wherever you are in the world."
There was a very sweet moment at the end when Malala said "I'm shortsighted
so I can't see the screen clearly. So I'm going to wear my glasses so I can
see the screen clearly. I don't know if Archie can talk yet, but all my best
wishes and love and kisses to him".
Malala is an incredible young woman who has been fighting for positive
change since she was a child. Born in Pakistan in 1997, her father was a
teacher in a girls school and brought up his daughter to understand the
value of education. The Taliban took control of the village Malala's family
lived in and in 2012, while on a bus in the Swat District after taking an
exam, Malala and two other girls were shot by a Pakistani Taliban
gunman...simply because Malala spoke out on behalf of girls and their right
to learn. Ten days later she woke up in hospital in Birmingham; following
months of surgeries and rehabilitation she joined her family in their new
home in the UK.
Displaying incredibly courage and strength, Malala was determined she would
not be silenced and vowed to dedicate her life to supporting women and girls
and advocating for their right to an education. With her father's help, the
Malala Fund was established, a charity striving to ensure every girl has
access to opportunities. In 2014, Malala received the Nobel Peace Prize -
becoming the youngest ever Nobel laureate. In 2020, she graduated from
Oxford University. In her discussion with Harry and Meghan she discussed the
challenges of graduating in the pandemic and it reminded me just how young
she is. It's going to be a privilege for all of us to watch what Malala does
next. If you would like to donate to the
Malala Fund please click here.
The Duchess wore a sleeveless black top and off-white trousers with a sleek
updo. I'll update if details emerge.
We'll see Meghan again on Tuesday in discussion with Emma Hinchliffe
about the importance of leading with your values and chasing convictions
with action as part of Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit. In the
meantime, the team from Teenager Therapy have shared this
behind-the-scenes snap from the podcast recording. The post on the
conversation is here.
i love to see this inspirational young woman speaking with Harry and Meghan. One thing I wonder so much is why do Harry and Meghan have such a poor webcam. It is so very unclear I don't get it?! Look at the quality of Malala's in comparison. I sure hope they remedy it soon as i have noticed this now for awhile and would be nice to see their lovely faces more clearly. Meghan looks gorgeous today in this style. This was a very inspiration talk between these 3.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for this post.
Malala Youfazha (apologies if I misspelt!) May be a lot of things, but short sighted is not one of them.,
ReplyDeletebluhare,
DeleteGreat observation!
Renee
Both H&M are simply great. They are doing as a team what the know best. Meghan started her advocacy for women 's & girls' rights since the age of 11 .prince Harry the same thing. God bless them.
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte for bringing this to us.
It was Wonderful to see Meghan and Harry have been championing the education of girls. They both have been doing work to help young women before they met. It is a common goal they are working for .it is also nice to see this loving pair. Looking forward to see their future work.
ReplyDeleteFantastic !
ReplyDeleteThank you Malala, thank you Harry & Meghan : you are forces for good in this world.!
Thank you for your post. What an amazing young woman Malala is. Her advocacy is so important. I love how H&M are going to grassroots platforms that do so much good and you can see how easily their profiles are raised. Happy #DayOfTheGirl everyone. The mental health conversation was so eye opening.
ReplyDeleteTo the Sussex family keep the light shining on things that matter.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte! What a beautiful post. Malala is a really impressive soul and it is amazing to see her work with Harry and Meghan. I hope this raises a lot of awareness and the much needed money......
ReplyDeleteI loved this conversation, and the podcast from the other day, too. Some say they are being too "woke," but I think they are being passionate and helping break barriers. They have a considerable platform and are using it for good...what on earth is wrong with that? We could all take a page from their book, honestly.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% Becca.
DeleteEvery time I see comments on other sites stating H&M are too "woke"(or worse), I think really? What's wrong with that? I guess a lot of people have a lot of time to waste!!! Why not take inspiration from H&M and actually take time away from the screen and volunteer in their community? Even if volunteering just once a week or once a month? I guess it's easier for many people to just spit out negativity, hide behind a screen criticizing others and not grow as a human being. Why go after a couple who are just trying to live their best lives and working on only trying to help others/bring awareness, instead of asking themselves: What can I do? SMH
So sweet sending kisses to little Archie!
ReplyDeleteI thought the same thing... awww so sweet Malala sending kisses to Archie. Another great moment was when Malala smiled and said to Meghan "you're blessed to have such a great companion" after Harry described the importance of women's role in education as critical for the future.
DeleteB&B
It must be such a relief to make their own choices now, without being told what they can support or even speak about. I resent the lack of verbal support in the face of verbal attacks that appear in the press, which continues now, from the RF, but I have to remember that "finding freedom" is actually a true phrase. When you are a member of the RF, at least at certain levels, you do lack total freedom. What a waste it would have been for Harry to remain always a helper.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, he wouldn't have been a "helper", he would have a significant role in his own right, and responsibilities in the military and the Commonwealth.
Deleteits wonderful thing Malala is a great inspiration and the duchess of sussex really to speak on her comfornt zone and owning the stage and sharing thoughts on her mind and their choices
ReplyDelete