Queen Máxima and Princess Mary Attend Women’s Shelters Conference

Queen Máxima of the Netherlands and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark today attended the World Conference of Women’s Shelters in The Hague.

The Dutch Queen, in her first public engagement since the kidney infection which forced her to miss most of the state visit to China, delivered a speech at the conference, the third to be hosted by the Global Network of Women’s Shelters to help create dialogue about ways to eliminate violence against women as well as promote the work of women’s shelters worldwide.

“Millions of women – and their children – are familiar with the fear, the isolation and the shame that are caused by domestic violence,” Máxima said, before praising the “work and commitment” of organisations that help women in these situations. She also spoke of the impact of domestic violence on all aspects of life – physical and mental health, careers and  on children.

Crown Princess Mary, attending in her role as chairman of The Mary Foundation, later attended several panel discussions and workshops on the topics of economic independence and the reintegration into society of abused women. She also paid a visit to the Rosa Manus Crisis Centre in Leiden, speaking with women who have taken up the centre’s services.

She will again attend the conference tomorrow, and deliver a keynote speech.

Filed under Denmark, The Netherlands
Tagged Conference, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Patronage, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, The Mary Foundation, Women's Rights.