Foreign Ministry and Royals team up in Burkina Faso

Kristian Jensen and Crown Princess Mary to meet with government officials and human rights advocates

Apr 27, 2016

Over the next two days, foreign minister Kristian Jensen and Crown Princess Mary will be in west Africa as part of a visit to Burkina Faso.

The trip will focus on Denmark’s development and aid efforts in the nation, as well as gender inequality, health and other human rights issues. The trip was originally scheduled for January, but a terror attack in the capital of Ouagadougou pushed the plans.

“I’m very pleased that the Crown Princess, who is deeply engaged in women’s health, and I have managed to depart for Burkina Faso,” said Jensen.

“Denmark supports Burkina Faso because it is one of the world’s poorest nations in which thousands of women die in connection with pregnancy and birth every year. It’s completely unacceptable that women are dying in 2016 while giving new life.”

New five-year agreement
Among other areas, Denmark’s aid efforts focus on providing Burkinabe families access to information, prevention and health benefits in connection with pregnancy and birth. Denmark also aims to tackle issues such as violence against women, gender equality and female circumcision.

To this end, the Danish delegation will meet with Burkina Faso’s president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, health clinics and human rights organisations.

Denmark has been involved in development in Burkina Faso since 1973 and Jensen is aiming to sign a new five-year aid agreement worth a billion kroner during the visit.