The Duchess of Sussex released a new video (with the help of comedianMelissa McCarthy) on theArchewell Foundationwebsite she shares with husbandPrince Harryon Wednesday to announce 40x40, “a global effort encouraging people around the world to commit to giving 40 minutes of their time to support women going back to work,” her office said in a statement.

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Prince Harry’s cousinPrincess Eugenieshared the initiative on her Instagram story, writing, “To celebrate dear Meghan’s 40th birthday I’m contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to support women reentering the workforce.“Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter added a colorful “Happy Birthday” sticker as well as an image of a cartoon of a cute figure with a birthday hat.

Princess Eugenie/ instagram

Princess Eugenie

Celebrities also took up the cause, withHillary Clinton,Sarah Paulson,Ciara,Gabrielle Union,Diana AwardCEOTessy Ojo,Katie Couric,Deepak ChopraandSofia Carsonamong those who posted about their support on social media.

According to the Duchess’s office, other participants who have committed to the cause include Adele, Amanda Gorman, Amanda Nguyen, Ibram X. Kendi, Gloria Steinem, José Andrés, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, Oscar de la Renta’s creative director Fernando Garcia and Stella McCartney.

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The statement explains that the initiative “is being spurred in response to the tens of millions of women around the world who haveleft the workforcein the past two years (largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic), including two millionwomen in the U.S.As women continue to reenter the workforce, we believe that mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength.”

source: people.com