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Inside Malala Yousufzai's meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Inside Malala Yousufzai's meeting with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

“What I realised very early on was that when women have a seat at the table, conversations in terms of policy change," said Meghan
12 Oct, 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle joined Malala Yousafzai for a discussion to celebrate International Day of the Girl, an annual campaign launched by UNICEF to amplify women's voices and stand up for their rights.

Introducing the theme of the talk, the Nobel Prize laureate started the discussion with the role education played in both the growth and learning in the royal duo's life as well as their views on its access all around the world.

"When young girls have access to education, everyone wins and everyone succeeds. It just opens doors for societal success at the highest level," opened Meghan as she thanked Yousufzai.

“What I had 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 and the dynamics of the community are all shifted,” she added, revealing why she was an advocate working with the Association of Commonwealth Universities herself.

Discussing how the pandemic has affected young women's access to the necessity, Prince Harry too, acknowledged its importance, and how he understands it better now than he did as a child.

"When you have an education, it provides money, it provides an income which makes you less susceptible to disaster," he said, identifying its crucial role in tackling climate change and opening doors to future opportunities.

Malala too revealed the urgency of the matter since 20 million girls were on the verge of dropping out of school due to the coronavirus and the limitations it brings to studying from home.

"They might be pushed towards child marriages or to become financial supporters of the family," she said, talking about the need for investment in their futures.

"We must ensure they are protected, they do not drop out, and they should be able to return safely to school."

The activist also mentioned how all the ways in which people can extend their help would be available on her website Malala Fund, should they be interested in working for the nobel cause.

Signing off, the Duke and Duchess mentioned how the pandemic helped them spend time at home with their little one Archie.

"We were both there for Archie's first steps, his first run, his first fall, everything," celebrated Prince Harry.

"And it's just fantastic that 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 externally. We’d miss a lot of those moments," Meghan revealed.

A fierce advocate for female education, Malala Yousufzai was a victim of a assassination when she was shot in retaliation for her activism at the age of 15.

Comments

Zak Oct 12, 2020 03:47pm
Well done Malala, Pakistani grit after a noble cause, women education of all levels, of all caste, creed and colour.
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RationalBabu Oct 12, 2020 04:49pm
@Zak maybe she should be invited back to Pakistan to take over the ministry of education!
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Chrís Dăn Oct 12, 2020 05:22pm
Wow. She purely on merit deserves to be the PM of Pakistan in future.
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NK Oct 12, 2020 07:10pm
It is an honor for me as a Pakistani to see Mala's photos here in US on billboards, Bus stops and other public places promoting her recent book and her Girls Education mission.
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well-wisher Oct 12, 2020 08:03pm
Malala thank you and please keep encouraging the governments, politicians and of course the girls and parents to promote value of education. No country nor households can prosper without proper education. Seek external help if needed but keep education foremost. These Royals have the connections to support education in 3rd world countries of Africa and Asia.
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mian Oct 12, 2020 08:47pm
Even today she will be a better PM.
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Nadim Ali Oct 13, 2020 08:05am
The West nurtured her, built her and from Pakistan’s point of view keep her.
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