A marimba playing ‘Stand by me’ and more than 200 leaders from the Colombian Pacific received in the city of Cali to the Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on his last day of his tour of Colombia.
Both were part of the forum ‘Afro women and power’, where they were able to learn about the leadership work carried out by midwives, cooks and other bearers of cultural tradition, who took the opportunity to share their commitment to maintaining their legacy above hatred and racism.
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“Since our arrival we have been able to feel the embrace of Colombia and it is incredible. Thank you very much because its culture and history make this a dream come true.“, said the Duchess of Sussex as she greeted the audience in Spanish.
Topics such as female empowerment, the fight against violence and the preservation of traditional midwifery and medicine They took part in the forum with themes called ‘Leadership for life’ and ‘Legacies of dignity’.
“I must say that from a very early age I was fortunate to feel that my voice as a woman was heard. When you know that your voice has power from such a young age it represents a success in your life and that is what we should inspire all women in the world.“Meghan said.
The event was also attended by: midwives from the departments of Cauca, Nariño and Chocó, in addition to The governor of Valle, Dilian Francisca Toro, and the mayor of Cali, Alejandro Eder, who expressed their joy at visiting the city.
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“This visit shows that Cali is in the spotlight of world leaders and it is our duty to continue promoting integration, reconciliation and, above all, generating opportunities.“Eder said.
The auditorium of the Enrique Buenaventura Municipal Theater was filled with excitement, although the heat of the city caused the Duchess to stand up and turn on a fan to cool herself and the other panelists.
“Cali is a city that receives thousands of people who have had to leave their territories due to displacement. The lessons I have learned in life are lessons that my community has taught me, which is why communities and community work are so important to me.“, he indicated Vice President Francia Marquez hostess of the dukes’ visit.
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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Cali.
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Marquez took advantage of the meeting to ask the dukes and the Open Society Foundation to support her in initiatives that she develops in different municipalities of the Colombian Pacific.
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“We have created programs such as ‘Young Guardians of Nature’, which began with more than 1,200 members with sustainability issues, and ‘Water is Life’ with which we seek to bring drinking water to marginalized areas.“, said Vice President Márquez.
The ‘Leading and Productive Women Fund’ is also being carried out, a process to strengthen the economic autonomy of women, and ‘She exports to Africa’, empowering 30 women from excluded territories.
The dukes spent four days visiting Colombia and ended their trip with a tour of the El Vallado neighborhood Recreation Center and the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival.
EFE
