Lilibet turned one on Saturday
(Picture: Getty Images)The Duchess of Sussex said men “need to be more vocal” over abortion rights in response to the US Supreme Court’s controversial decision to repeal Roe v Wade.
The 40-year-old mother of two said husband Prince Harry had a “gutteral” reaction to the news and revealed it has been a regularly topic of conversation in their household since last Friday’s announcement.
Speaking to Vogue magazine with author and activist Gloria Steinem and journalist Jessica Yellin, Meghan said: “Men need to be vocal in this moment and beyond because these are decisions that affect relationships, families, and communities at large.
“They may target women, but the consequences impact all of us.”
The Duchess said Prince Harry is a “feminist too” and told the magazine: “I know that for so many women right now, there is a sentiment of despair. But again, we have to band together and not wallow. We have to do the work.”
She also spoke about her November 2020 miscarriage, adding that it is important to “normalize conversation about the things that affect our lives and bodies”.
“This is about women’s physical safety”, Meghan said.
“It’s also about economic justice, individual autonomy, and who we are as a society. Nobody should be forced to make a decision they do not want to make, or is unsafe, or puts their own life in jeopardy.”
Ms Steinem, who says she will welcome women into her New York home if they are travelling to have an abortion, said Harry and Meghan’s voice on the issue is vital.
“It’s very, very, very important”, she said.
“Because what they both have is trust. We trust them and nothing but nothing replaces trust. It is the most important quality or attribute. We can see things on television and not believe them or not trust them.
“But when people like these two tell us, then we trust it.”
The activist has recruited Meghan into a battle for Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which would guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex in the US Constitution.
“If this is the type of legislation that we need pushed through, then this is a moment that I am absolutely going to show up for”, said the Duchess.
“Not just because it’s what we need as women, but it’s what we need as people.”
