US midterms, Sally Kohn, Dr Hayaatun Sillem, Cuts to contraception

Available for over a year

Record numbers of women are running for office in 2018 in the upcoming mid-term elections in November. in the US. What difference will that make if they win? Jenni Murray speaks to Kelly Dittmar, Assistant Research Professor from the Centre for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University in New Jersey The American author and political commentator, Sally Kohn, is in the UK to deliver this year's Forgiveness Project Lecture where she'll be talking about how we need to bridge the divide in these unforgiving times. Appointed CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineers at the beginning of the year, Dr Hayaatun Sillem is the first woman to hold the post. She talks about why as a woman in her 40s from a mixed ethnic background she's in a unique position to challenge the stereotypes of what an engineer is and why a career in engineering can really make a difference to people's lives. The Advisory Group on Contraception (AGC) says half of councils in England have closed sites which give contraceptive services. This has happened since the 2015 public health cuts. It's having an impact on access to long-acting reversible contraceptives they say. Some medical experts are even linking this with the increase in abortions in England. Guests include Lisa Hardin who has had problems with contraception, Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, a GP in Hertfordshire and Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, Chair of the Royal College of GPs.