Since joining the royal family, Meghan Markle has made no secret of being a feminist who wants to use her position to help women’s advancement in all areas. During her and Prince Harry’s 10-day tour of South Africa, the Duchess of Sussex took time out of her schedule to personally visite the memorial of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a 19-year-old student at the University of Cape Town who was raped and murdered in August.
A photo of Meghan tying a ribbon at her memorial was shared on the Duke and Duchess’s Instagram page on Saturday, after Meghan’s secret visit (the public were not informed she would be there). Meghan wrote “Simi kunye kulesisimo” on the ribbon, which means “We stand together in this moment” in Xhosa. The caption read that Meghan wanted to “to pay her respects and to show solidarity with those who have taken a stand against gender-based violence and femicide.”
Meghan also met with Mrwetyana’s mother to offer her and Prince Harry’s condolences. “Uyinene’s death has mobilised people across South Africa in the fight against gender-based violence, and is seen as a critical point in the future of women’s rights in South Africa. The Duchess has taken private visits and meetings over the last two days to deepen her understanding of the current situation and continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls,” the statement on @SussexRoyal continued.
Earlier in the week, Meghan spoke to locals who work to teach girls about their rights as well as self-defense practices, saying, “My husband and I have been closely following what you’ve been experiencing here – as best we can from afar. But now that we are with you, we are eager to learn and see first-hand the work that you’re doing, the vital work that you’re doing, and that everything that is being done on the ground is making the great change that you not only need but that you deserve.”
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