Will we ever live in a gender equal world? Sandi Toksvig quizzes author Catherine Mayer on this and her latest book.

American voters chose a misogynist over a woman and the UK’s female Prime Minister came into her job through political crisis. Fewer than 10 percent of world leaders are women. Progress towards gender equality not only appears to be stalling, but reversing. And no single country or culture has yet achieved parity.

In the absence of real-life examples, Catherine Mayer has researched deeply and travelled widely to address these issues. In her forthcoming book, Attack of the Fifty-Foot Woman she answers pertinent questions such as: would women make a better job of running things? Would a gender-equal society be more equal in other ways too? Should we expect the air to be sweeter, relationships more harmonious, the streets safer?

On the eve of the book’s publication, Sandi Toksvig, co-founder with Catherine of the Women’s Equality Party, queries her about these findings.

The evening also features special guests and readings from the book by Tanya Moodie.