The Duchess of Sussex delivered a major speech on the issue closest to her heart, as she made a plea for global equality and declares: “Feminism is about fairness.”
The Duchess, who spoke at a reception in New Zealand celebrating 125 of votes for women, condemned the marginalisation of people on the grounds of “race, gender ethnicity or orientation” in a short but forceful address to guests.
Congratulating the country for leading the world in women’s suffrage a full 25 years before Britain, she quoted New Zealand suffragette Kate Sheppard, saying: “All that separates, whether of race, class, creed, or sex, is inhuman, and must be overcome.”
“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.”
