Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is set to be one of the five 'visionary female leaders' speaking at the upcoming South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas. The event, scheduled for Friday, coincides with International Women's Day.
Markle has been recognized for her advocacy for feminism, human rights, and gender equity. She will be part of a panel alongside Brooke Shields, Katie Couric, and Nancy Wang Yuen to discuss 'breaking barriers' and 'challenging stereotypes' on social media, particularly focusing on teenage girls.
The panel discussion, titled 'Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen,' will be moderated by journalist Errin Haines. The SXSW co-president and chief programming officer, Hugh Forrest, expressed honor in hosting this distinguished group on International Women's Day for a significant discussion on the importance of representation in media and entertainment.
Markle previously participated in a similar discussion during the first Archewell Foundation Parents' Summit in October 2023, where she and Prince Harry discussed 'Mental Wellness in a Digital Age.' The couple shared insights on the challenges of raising children in the digital era and their efforts to support parents affected by online bullying.
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, Markle and Prince Harry have ventured into various business endeavors. Markle recently signed a podcast deal with Lemonada Media after her previous contract with Spotify ended. Additionally, she aims to establish a presence in the lifestyle space before the conclusion of her Netflix deal in 2025, producing projects such as a film adaptation of 'Meet Me By the Lake.'
Prince Harry is also reportedly working on a solo documentary about traveling to Africa. The couple's entrepreneurial pursuits reflect their commitment to using their platform to address societal issues and promote positive change.