Mogens Jensen, the trade and development minister, and Crown Princess Mary are in South Africa to focus on gender equality and women's rights issues while at the same time court South Africa as a growth market for Danish businesses.
“The Crown Princess is known as a strong global advocate for poor women's access to contraception and care during and after pregnancy,” Jensen said in a statement.
“The Crown Princess has been a major voice for those international organisations working to promote rights, health and equality for all.”
READ MORE: Denmark to host major conference on women's rights
Jensen said that violence against women remains a very serious problem in South Africa, with statistics showing that a woman is raped every 26 seconds.
“It is totally unacceptable," he said. "The trip will help to focus on the difficult and often taboo agenda to ensure that poor and vulnerable women have a right to decide over their own bodies."
Good business
In addition to the promotion of women's rights, the visit will also focus on promoting trade relations between South Africa and Denmark. Jensen will this week be the keynote speaker at the opening of an annual wind energy conference in Cape Town, Windaba.
“South Africa is the UK's main commercial partner in Africa, and Danish exports rose by 30 percent last year, thanks in a large part to green technology, "said Jensen.
Jensen and the Crown Princess will also spend time promoting Danish design and architecture and strengthening contacts between Danish and South African architectural schools. The pair will be in South Africa until Wednesday.
