ABC News (Australia) | 16 May 2016

Princess Mary of Denmark has made an impassioned plea for governments and society to do more to achieve gender equality in a speech to open a major conference on women's rights in Copenhagen.

The Australian-born princess said closing the gender gap needed to be a priority in all modern societies.

"It will require strong and authentic leadership from governments and civil society," Princess Mary told the Women's Deliver conference.

"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."
Princess Mary is among dozens of leaders in Copenhagen for what is said to be the world's largest global conference in the last decade on the health, rights, and wellbeing of girls and women.

Former Australian prime minister Julia Gillard will be among the speakers on day two of the four-day conference.

Princess Mary said she was angered more was not being done to address women's health issues.

"Ninety per cent of new maternal and newborn deaths can be prevented with the help of skilled birth attendants," she said.

"This agenda is now a woman's agenda but a united agenda for humanity that involves men, women, girls and boys.

"Let's look to new horizons. Together let's deliver for girls to have choice, not chance.

"And let's agree less bad is never good enough."

Carolyn Miles, Save The Children USA CEO, backed the calls of Princess Mary.

"There are many, many girls who are married before the age of 18, it means they have a less healthy delivery, their children are likely to be less healthy," she said.

"So we are really fighting so that every girl actually has a shot."