Queen Camilla hosted a star-studded line-up of women who “refuse to take no for an answer” before warning of the “daunting task” of achieving gender equality.
The Queen was joined by the likes of Victoria Beckham, Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, former footballer Jill Scott and actress Sarah Lancashire to mark the 15th anniversary of the Women Of The World (Wow) Foundation at Buckingham Palace.
They were invited alongside schoolgirls and others who have contributed to the promotion of women and girls, including former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard, actress Dame Harriet Walter, campaigner Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and chef Andi Oliver. In her speech at the reception, Camilla pointed out significant challenges that remain in the way of global gender equality worldwide.
She said: “As we look forward to the next 15 years, the task of forging a gender-equal world is a daunting one. At the current rate, globally, it will take an estimated 286 years to remove discriminatory laws, 140 years for women to hold half the positions of leadership in the workplace and 47 years to be represented equally in national parliaments.
” But by following in the footsteps of these amazing women and girls who will not take ‘ no ‘ for an answer, we members of the Wow family fervently hope that this will be achieved in a much shorter time. Seeing you all here, I am filled with confidence that, together, we can make sure this happens. “
The Queen has supported the Wow Foundation since its launch in 2010 and became the organisation’s president in 2015. The charity has now grown to become a global network of events championing gender equality, celebrating the achievements of women and girls and examining the obstacles which stop them from fulfilling their potential.
Camilla added:” Without fail, wherever Wow gathers, I have met the most extraordinary and impressive women who have, quite simply, refused to take ‘ no ‘ for an answer. Some of them have a significant public profile. Others can’t be named because the work that they do would put their lives, or the lives of those whom they support, in danger. All of them have faced obstacles that could easily have intimidated them into a silent resignation to the status quo. “
In her speech, Camilla mentioned TV personality and model Penny Lancaster, who volunteers as a special constable with the police – and revealed she was on duty last night.
Ms Lancaster, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart and attended the Palace reception said:” The essence of it all is that collaboration, drawing from all corners of the earth, not just gathering women together from the UK, but globally. It’s the whole message – it’s not just for one it’s for all. “
The event was also attended by broadcaster and comedian Sandi Toksvig, who told Camilla as they greeted in the palace’s magnificent White Drawing Room:” I was just thinking we need a bit more gold in this room. “Camilla laughed and replied:” We do”.
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Source: Mirror
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