The charter includes affirmations on democracy, human rights,
international peace and security. It also contains a commitment
to “gender equality” and “women’s empowerment”. This is seen as
a step forward for gay rights, a huge deal considering that
several of the Queen’s Commonwealth nations disapprove of – and
strongly punish – homosexuality. “Women’s empowerment” refers to
the endorsement of new legislation ending discrimination against
women in the line of succession to the British throne. During
the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last year,
the Queen made the move to allow her female heirs equal access
to the throne. If the first child for the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge is a daughter, that child cannot be supplanted by a
younger brother. Without getting dragged into political activism
over gay rights, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that “the
Queen, as in all matters, is apolitical but is signing the
document in her capacity as head of the Commonwealth.” - Queen
set to sign new ch