The annual inter-parliamentary meeting marking International Women’s Day gathers MEPs and national MPs to discuss gender equality and women’s rights issues. This year’s theme is ‘‘We are strong: Women leading the fight against COVID-19’’.

After an introductory word by the Chair of the EP Women’s Rights Committee, Evelyn Regner (S&D, AT), opening speeches will be delivered by EP President David Sassoli, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, followed by a keynote speech by the President of Greece, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

The main panel discussion will deal with ‘‘Women on the frontlines: lessons learnt from the crisis management’’. Khadija Arib, President of the House of Representatives of the Netherlands, Dr Isabelle Loeb, Medical Director at Saint-Pierre Hospital in Brussels, Kristel Krustuuk, Founder and Chief Testing Officer at Testlio, Carlien Scheele, Director of the European Institute for Gender Equality, and Concha Andreu, Rapporteur on the Gender Equality Strategy at the European Committee of the Regions, will participate.

Closing remarks will be delivered by Helena Dalli, Commissioner for equality, and by Evelyn Regner.