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27/05/2011

With Jenni Murray. Discussing the anti-abortion group invited onto a government advice forum, language barriers, the resurgence of the veil and Japanese gardens.

Why a decision to invite the anti abortion group LIFE onto a government advice forum for sexual health has provoked such discussion. We ask whether planned cuts in free English lessons will have a disproportionate effect on women; what difficulties will this place on their ability to take part in their local communities? Leila Ahmed was the first professor of Women's Studies in Religion at Harvard University. She grew up in the Egypt of the 1940s, raised by a generation of Muslim women who never dressed in veils and head scarves. Today many Muslim women throughout the Islamic world and beyond are choosing to cover themselves and wear "Islamic dress". She joins Jenni to talk about this "Quiet Revolution". The Japanese Garden at Tatton Park in Cheshire, said to be one of the finest examples of a Japanese garden in Europe, is 100 years old this year. What makes a Japanese garden distinct from an English garden?

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 27 May 2011 10:00

Chapters

  • Abortion

    Life, has been offered a seat on the Sexual Health Forum but the British Pregnancy Advisory Service offer has been withdrawn. Columnist Deborah Orr, Ann Furedi, BPAS and Joanne Hill at Life discuss.

    Duration: 13:57

  • Leila Ahmed - The Veil

    Leila Ahmed is one of the world's leading thinkers on women and Islam. In her new book "A Quiet Revolution" Leilaexamines some of our assumptions about women and the veil.

    Duration: 08:29

  • Japanese Gardens

    Tatton Park in Cheshire is one of the finest examples of a Japanese garden. Jenni is joined by Sam Youd head gardener and Yoko Kawaguchi author of 'Serene Gardens'.

    Duration: 10:46

  • ESOL cuts

    Funding for English courses for speakers of other languages could be cut from August under Government proposals. James Lee Refugee Council and Shamim Akhtar discuss.

    Duration: 09:09

Broadcast

  • Fri 27 May 2011 10:00

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