Meghan Markle makes powerful feminist statement on International Women's Day

Meghan Markle is proving once again that she isn't afraid to speak her mind, especially when it comes to the issues she cares most about.

The duchess took part in a panel discussion at King's College London on Friday to commemorate International Women's Day alongside the likes of musician Annie Lennox, model Adwoa Aboah, former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard, Let Us Learn founder Chrisann Jarrett and Campaign for Female Education executive director Angeline Mrimirwa.

People's Simon Perry reports that Meghan made several notable statements during the event calling for gender equality around the world, especially when it comes to education and employment opportunities.

"We must be global feminists and include men and boys," the Duchess of Sussex declared. "If things are wrong and there is a lack of justice and inequality, someone needs to say something -- and why can't it be you?"

Meghan's willingness to speak up around potentially polarizing issues is evidence of her once again going against the traditional royal expectations, as the British royal family historically tends to avoid making political statements.

On Friday, it was also announced that Duchess Meghan is now the Vice-President of The Queen's Commonwealth Trust, which champions and connects burgeoning global leaders, often providing them with necessary funds to help them succeed.

"In her role as Vice-President of QCT, The Duchess of Sussex will highlight our partnerships with young people across the Commonwealth, and in particular our work supporting women and girls," the organization's announcement said.

For the King's College panel, Meghan wore an Azzura black-and-white printed mini dress made by Reiss that she paired with a black blazer and matching pumps and a Stella McCartney clutch.

The former "Suits" actress has long been a champion of women's issues around the world, having previously served as an official advocate for UN Women, for which she famously delivered an inspiring speech back in 2015, before she started dating Prince Harry.

"I am proud to be a woman and a feminist," she said at the time.

In the speech, she also detailed her decision in 1995 at 11 years old to write a letter to then-first lady Hillary Clinton about a sexist ad that she had watched on TV that declared, "Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans."

"Two boys from my class said, 'Yeah. That's where women belong — in the kitchen,'" she said. "I remember feeling shocked and angry and also just feeling so hurt. It just wasn't right, and something needed to be done. My 11-year-old self worked out that if I really wanted someone to hear, well then I should write a letter to the first lady. So off I went scribbling away to our first lady at the time, Hillary Clinton."

"It was roughly a month later when the soap manufacturer, Proctor and Gamble, changed the commercial for their Ivory Clear Dishwashing Liquid ... from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America ...'" she went on. "It was at that moment that I realized the magnitude of my actions. At the age of 11, I had created my small level of impact by standing up for equality."