Issue 510 | 2 March 2020

While the fight for gender equality is far from over, women are making strides in advancing their rights, gaining an ever-louder voice across the world. Evelyn Regner, Chair of Parliament’s FEMM Committee, is this issue’s cover star. She explains whydespite resistance from male-dominated power structures, this will be the Century of Women.

In our special Rare Disease Day feature, MEP Loucas Fourlas (CY, EPP) looks at the ways Member States can better support patients and Biljana Borzan (HR, S&D) calls for “more dedicated and focused European” action. Meanwhile, Michèle Rivasi (FR, Greens/EFA) and Andreas Glück (DE, RE) take a look at the Medical Devices Regulation whichenters into force in May. We also have coverage of Parliament’s Rare Disease Day events.

This issue also takes a look at the Commission’s defining initiative of the current mandate: the European Green Deal. Łukasz Kohut (PL, S&D) examines the role national energy and climate plans (NECP) can play, Petros Kokkalis (EL, GUE/NGL) explains how the Just Transition Fund can help rebuild Europe’s social contract and Simona Bonafè (IT, S&D) discusses sustainable industrial policy, while Jessica Stegrud (SE, ECR) tells us why she opposes the Deal altogether.

Also featured in this issue: AFET Chair David McAllister (DE, EPP) discusses the future UK-EU partnership, and we have an interview with Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Assita Kanko (BE, ECR) previews the upcoming EU-Africa Summit, Heidi Hautala (FI, Greens/EFA) talks carbon trading, while European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan and Trade Committee Chair Bernd Lange (DE, S&D) shine a spotlight on EU trade policy. We also have an exclusive interview with none other than The Supremes’ Mary Wilson.

We also recap DIGTALEUROPE’s Masters of Digital 2020 event, LNG Protocol’s Delivering the EU Green Deal event, and preview International Women’s Day.

Finally, answering our five questions this issue is Luxembourgish Renew Europe MEP Monica Semedo.