Camilla: We must do more to end gender-based violence

The Duchess of Cornwall was on Thursday making an impassioned plea for more to be done to tackle violence against women and girls.

Camilla was delivering a keynote speech at an event being staged in Rwanda ahead of the summit of Commonwealth leaders, highlighting the work of the Commonwealth Says No More initiative to prevent domestic violence and sexual abuse.

In the speech in Kigali, she was due to say: “There is power in this alliance. In the strength of our unity, we, the women and men of the Commonwealth, stand with victims and survivors, who, despite the temptation to hide away in silence, speak up so that others know they aren’t alone — whether in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific or the Caribbean and Americas.”

“In so doing, we have the opportunity to end gender-based violence and those laws and practices that discriminate against women.”

“And each one of us must take personal responsibility not to let this opportunity be lost,” she added.

Prince Charles was on Thursday meeting young people in Rwanda who have taken part in his Prince’s Trust International programmes to develop skills and find jobs.

The charity, which was founded by Charles, now works in more than 20 countries across the Commonwealth — and has helped more than one million young people in the UK alone.

The Prince of Wales will also visit a wildlife sanctuary which has reclaimed surrounding wetlands and protected endangered cranes, to highlight the importance of rejuvenating land.

The royal couple will end their day by attending a fashion event as part of the Kigali Fashion Week.

Charles will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson tomorrow, following controversy over the Government’s policy on refugees.