[WATCH] Markle: Empowering a woman changes everything

Markle, as a patron of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), has awarded gender grants to the University of Johannesburg, Stellenbosch University and the University of the Western Cape.

Markle held a roundtable discussion with several leading women in tertiary education at the University of Johannesburg on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle champion youth & education in Joburg

“It’s almost been a year of really working to advocate for what is truly and deeply and important and meaningful on a personal level. I think higher education, specifically, is such a key element for growth, economic growth but also personal growth and development,” said Markle.

The ACU has network of 500 universities from over 50 countries.

The organisation works to shape policy, strengthen capacity, convene universities across borders and seed change through scholarship opportunities.

ALSO READ: Duchess of Sussex pays secret tribute to murdered student Uyinene

“The goal here is to be able to have gender equality, to be able to support women as they are working in research and higher education roles, and also to be able to be able to have workshops, to convene things that are really helping people to understand the importance of gender equality,” said Markle.