Meghan Markle once again took up her campaign for a federal paid family leave program while appearing at The New York Times DealBook Online Summit, according to The Daily Mail.
The mom of two took part in a 30-minute panel in which she explained why the cause is so important to her and clapped back at those who criticized her for getting involved in U.S. politics.
Meghan explained how paid family leave is a humanitarian issue, not a political one
The mother of two is no stranger to having to juggle a new baby and a career, which is likely why she feels so passionately about getting a federal paid family leave policy put in place in the US.
“The US is one of only six countries in the world that didn’t offer any kind of paid national level,” she said Tuesday, explaining why she decided to start reaching out to politicians to talk about getting a bill passed. “I said, ‘Let me put pen to paper and make some calls.’ To me, it seems like a really logical and obvious thing to do.”
Megan also addressed criticisms about her using her royal title while getting involved in US matters
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The 40-year-old explained how too much is being made of the fact that she’s a duchess. “I don’t see this as a political issue, frankly. There is a precedent among my husband’s family, the royal family, of not having any involvement in politics,” she said. “From my standpoint, this is a humanitarian issue.”
Just like Prince Harry, Meghan wants to use her position of privilege to make a difference.
Meghan quoted Harry during the event, adding that it’s up to people like them to speak out for those who lack the platform to make a difference. “My husband has always said that with great privilege comes great responsibility, and before I had any kind of privilege, I always stood up for what was right.”
During her appearance, Meghan also mentioned her own childhood experiences, and what it was like growing up without financial security.
As part of her work, Meghan is also advocating for benefits for stay-at-home-moms
She noted that working parents also benefit from the labor of those whose primary job is tending to the home and family. “There is a sense of purpose, especially for women at home,” she explained. “They are working, but it’s unpaid labor and it needs to be recognized.”
The duchess called for men to stand up and take part in the conversation of supporting stay-at-home-moms and recognizing them for the valuable work they do. “I think it takes strong men and modern men, frankly, to understand that they benefit from it as well,” she said.
It’s unlikely Meghan will stop advocating for families anytime soon
Given her unique perspective in terms of how she grew up, and the fact that she’s recently become a working mother, we can’t imagine Meghan is going to give up on her advocacy anytime soon. We’re sure that there are plenty of people who are grateful for all of the work she’s doing to help make life just a little bit easier for families.
