Feminism is about fairness says Duchess in first major speech
THE Duchess of Sussex paid tribute to the pioneering suffragettes who brought votes for women to the world, as she used a landmark speech to de- clare: “Feminism is about fairness.”
The Duchess, who is undertaking a 16-day tour of the Pacific region with her husband, made her first major speech about the issue closest to her heart, bringing to life the so-called “Meghan’s manifesto” that admirers expected when she married into the Royal Family.
Laying bare her strong opinions about rights for women, ethnic minorities and people of differing sexual orientations, she pledged to “overcome prejudice”.
The Duchess, who spoke at a reception in New Zealand celebrating 125 years of votes for women, condemned the marginalisation of people on the grounds of “race, gender ethnicity or orientation” in a short but forceful address. Congratulating the country for leading the world in women’s suffrage a full 25 years before Britain, she quoted
Kate Sheppard, the leading
New Zealand suffragette, saying: “All that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman and must be overcome.”
The Duchess also tried a few words of the Māori language, winning cheers as she addressed her audience with the greeting: “Tēnā koutou katoa”.
She said: “In looking forward to this very special occasion. I reflected on the importance of this achievement but also the larger impact of what this symbolises. Because yes, women’s suffrage is about feminism, but feminism is about fairness.
“Suffrage is not simply about the right to vote but also about what that represents: the basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your future and that of your community; the involvement and the voice that allows you to be a part of the very world you are a part of.
“And women’s suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women, but also what that represents: the basic and fundamental human right of all people, including those members of society who have been marginalised, whether for reasons of race, gender, ethnicity or orientation, to be able to participate in the choices for their future and their community.
“So bravo New Zealand for championing this right 125 years ago… we all deeply thank you.”
Earlier, the Duke and Duchess had touched down in New Zealand to a rapturous welcome, with windy weather to greet them alongside a traditional hongi reception, touching noses and foreheads with Māori elders.
The Duke participated in a striking ceremony at Government House, Wellington, which saw him challenge three Māori warriors for their acceptance of welcoming him on to their land. The Duke and Duchess, who also laid a wreath at a war memorial and undertook a walkabout among members of the public, were due to spend the night at the governor-general’s house, it is understood.
Yesterday, they also met with Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand prime minister, and Simon Bridges, the leader of the opposition. The party was slightly delayed for an evening reception when a fire alarm was accidentally set off.
At Government House, Simon Peacock, the head chef, was ready to attend to their every whim, keeping ketchup and HP sauce on standby in the event the couple fancied a night off from formal dining.
He told reporters that he had been researching what the Duchess liked to eat by reading her now-closed blog The Tig, and omitted poppy seeds from the menu for fears of guests getting them caught in their teeth.
“My goal is to say, when they get off the plane, ‘what do you feel like?’,” said Mr Peacock.
“If they want a cheese toastie, I’ll make sure it’s the best cheese toastie they’ve ever had.”