Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union
Directorate for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs
Secretariat of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
To the Chairperson(s) of the Committee(s) concerned
Dear Colleague,
For many years now, the European Parliament (EP) has been celebrating International
Women's Day with a special event bringing together Members of the European Parliament and
parliamentarians from across the European Union.
Hence, on the occasion of the 2018 International Women's Day, the EP's Committee on
Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) would like to invite Members of the National
Parliaments of the EU Member States to attend an interparliamentary committee meeting on
the theme:
"Empowering Women and Girls in Media and Information and Communication
Technologies”: Key for the future"
The topic of empowering women and girls in media and Information and Communication
Technologies (ICTs) retains global importance and is one that allows for in-depth examination.
Media has the capacity to influence public opinion and frame information. At the same time,
ICTs permeate all levels and areas of society. Both media and ICTs thus have considerable
potential in the promotion of women’s empowerment. It is therefore crucial that these fields
are accessible to women and girls, portray them in a realistic manner and listen to their voice.
We are therefore very pleased to invite up to four Members of the corresponding committee(s)
of each National Parliament (two from each chamber in the case of bi-cameral Parliaments) to
attend this event on
Thursday, 8 March 2018 from 9.00 to 12.30 in the European
Parliament in Brussels.
The event takes place just prior to the 62
nd
session of the UN Commission on the Status of
Women whose review theme also focuses on this topic. In the presence of the European
Commission, the Council of Europe and other distinguished guests, the meeting will provide a