Denmark is contributing 82 million kroner to a fund to help further the recognition of women's rights across the world, DR reports.

According to Mogens Jensen, the Danish minister for trade and development co-operation, the fund will assist women, mostly in Africa, in attaining their rightful place in society.

The fund, which is the result of a co-operation with the Netherlands and two private American funds, will be launched this week at the annual UN General Assembly in New York. Crown Princess Mary will give the welcome speech.

For opportunities, against oppression
The main purpose, said Jensen, is to send more women to schools and provide them with job opportunities, while fighting all sorts of oppression, violence and exploitation.

"In many countries, women don't have the same rights as men," Jensen told the broadcaster.

"They don't have the same access to labour markets, and often they don't even have the right to decide about their own bodies."

NGOs can apply right away
It is now up to the various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to apply for funding for projects such as informing women about contraception.

The fund will completely bypass co-operation with governments, and the NGOs will be entirely responsible for managing the projects.