Nicola Sturgeon and Carmen Pieraccini to join international women’s day event

The event will be held in person and will also be broadcast on Scottish Parliament TV for the first time.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will speak at the event (Russell Cheyne/PA) (PA Wire)

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and actress Carmen Pieraccini will be among those helping to celebrate the achievements of women during the pandemic at an event on Saturday.

The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) has organised the event in conjunction with the Scottish Parliament in honour of International Women’s Day which takes place on Tuesday March 8.

It will be chaired by Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone MSP and will feature contributions from speakers including Ms Sturgeon, public health expert Professor Linda Bauld and Brenda King, chief executive of the charity African and Caribbean Diversity.

The event in Edinburgh on March 5 is being held in person and is also being broadcast on Scottish Parliament TV for the first time.

Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This event will bring together women from across Scotland to celebrate their achievements and share their collective ambition to build a better and more sustainable country as we start to think about our recovery from the pandemic.

“Women from the world of politics, academia and entertainment will share their perspective. My hope is that the day will raise aspirations of what we can achieve together.”

The SWC said it wanted to ensure that as many women as possible could feel part of the event.

We look forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which highlight women’s achievements

Agnes Tolmie, SWC

Agnes Tolmie, SWC chairwoman, said: “The SWC have been showcasing Women in Scotland’s contributions since January with nominations in the run-up to this event and what it has highlighted is the far-ranging achievements of women during one of the most difficult periods in our history.

“Women make up more than 50% of the Scottish population and have been hardest hit by Covid but looking at the wonderful work women in Scotland have been doing we thought we should use our event to celebrate them.

“We look forward to an afternoon of inspiring and motivational contributions which highlight women’s achievements during this time and how they can be empowered to be part of the solution to making Scotland a greener, fairer nation.

“The Scottish Women’s Convention while celebrating International Women’s Day at home remember those women across the world who are in struggle. Especially at this time women and families in Ukraine.”