The Duchess of Sussex on Thursday visited South Africa to meet female leaders.

The visit comes as a recent spike in violence against and has ignited protests in many areas of the country.

Approximately 2,700 women and 1,000 children murdered by men in the country last year. At least 100 rapes were also reported daily.

During the event, Meghan also spoke with the anti-apartheid activist, doctor and former managing director of the World Bank, Mamphela Ramphele.

Also present were politicians Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, of the African National Congress – one of the youngest women ever to serve in the country’s parliament – and Lindiwe Mazibuko, the first non-white leader of the Democratic Alliance party.

At the meeting, Meghan said that hearing about their exploits on the news had not been the same as “being able to truly understand what it’s like on the ground”.

“Much of my life I have been advocating for women and girls’ rights, so this has been an incredibly powerful moment to hear first-hand from all of you,” she said.

“The leadership and strength shown by these women is remarkable, and at a time when the issue of gender and gender-based violence is at the forefront of people’s minds, I hope their voices will resonate and not only give comfort but also create change.

Meghan added that gender violence was a “global problem” and a solution can only be found “with the attention and work of everyone”.

The duke and duchess are on their first official overseas trip with their four month-old son, Archie.

The royals are celebrating southern Africa’s people and culture during their 10-day visit.

The duke and duchess spent the first three days together, meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu, visiting South Africa’s oldest mosque and meeting young people in a deprived township in Cape Town.