Princess Mary delivers a powerful gender equality speech

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has delivered a powerful speech about gender equality and its manifestations.

Addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France on Tuesday, Mary explained the importance of ensuring men and women receive the same protections.

“Human rights are the basic rights and freedom that belong to every person in the world from birth until death,” the 45-year-old said.

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“Violence against women is one of the strongest manifestations of gender inequality and is one of the areas which the Council of Europe has raised the bar,” she told the crowd.

Princess Mary is an advocate for numerous causes, but is especially passionate when it comes to women’s empowerment and equality.

Princess Mary giving her speech; Image: AAP

Since she married Crown Prince Frederick in 2004, she has used her profile to shine a spotlight on the issue, viewing herself as a "voice of the voiceless".

During a 2016 conference on the health and wellbeing of women and girls in Copenhagen, the princess called on governments and society to strive for gender equality.

"It will require strong and authentic leadership from governments and civil society," she told the 6000-strong audience.

"We need country and local ownership of the agenda, which leads to commitment and to results.

"By working as one and closing the gender gap we become more powerful."

In an interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly last year, Mary - who has two daughters - described violence against women as “one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world”.

“It knows no social, economic or national boundaries. 

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“Gender-based violence undermines the health, dignity, security and independence of its victims, yet it remains shrouded in a culture of violence.”

Princess Mary’s advocacy for women’s rights earned her recognition at the 2017 Womenomics Business Conference (CPH), held at the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

She received the Womenomics Global Impact Award for her work towards helping women "improve their conditions and exploit their full potential."